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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
PA Y Cross Flood is a play-action pass out of Singleback Wing Slot 12 personnel that uses a flood concept to the flood side while the Y tight end works a deep crosser across the field. The play-action fake from under center holds linebackers and safeties for a beat, opening throwing lanes for the crosser against Cover 3 and other zone shells. This is a zone beater at its core, with the primary read starting on the flood route combo (flat, intermediate out or corner, deep sideline shot) before working back to the Y crosser as the backside progression if the flood side is capped.
Defensive Reads
Check the middle linebacker depth at the snap, since a shallow drop or aggressive run bite means the Y crosser will have a clean lane through the intermediate zone. Watch for a user controlled defender sitting in the deep middle third or hovering as a lurk defender, because that player can jump the crosser route if the quarterback stares it down too long. Identify two high safety shells like Cover 2 or Cover 4 pre-snap, since these coverages get extra help over the crosser and force the quarterback to live on the flood side instead. Key the flat defender post-snap, since a hard sit on the flat route opens the intermediate flood route behind it for an easy pitch and catch. Beware of Cover 3 buzz or fire zone blitzes disguised presnap, as the extra underneath defender can squat exactly where the crosser wants to sit down.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a hard count to bait linebackers into cheating up on the run fake, since the play-action sell is what creates the window for the Y crosser. Identify single high safety shells (Cover 3, Cover 1) before the snap, since those are the shells this concept punishes hardest with the flood stretching the corner and the crosser working through the vacated middle. Hot route the underneath flat route into a quick option or drag if you see man coverage with no safety help over the top, turning this into more of a rhythm throw. Pair this call with PA Boot Y Sail or PA Fork Y-Dig earlier in a series so the defense starts keying the play-action boot action, then hit them with PA Y Cross Flood to attack the same look with a different answer. Best used on second and medium or first down when defenses are more willing to sit in zone shells and respect the run action, giving the crosser time to develop.
