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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
Y-go Slot Cross out of Singleback Wing Slot is a man beater built around a vertical go route paired with a deep crosser working from the opposite side of the formation. The Y (tight end) releases on the go to stress the deep third or hold a safety, while the crossing route works underneath from sideline to sideline to create natural rub separation against man coverage. Protection is a standard five or six man slide, giving the quarterback time to work the deep shot first before checking down to the crosser as coverage rotates.
Defensive Reads
Man coverage with no safety help over the top is the biggest green light, the crosser will separate off the natural rub and the go route can win one on one against a slower linebacker or nickel defender. Cover 3 with a hard flat corner squatting on the crosser can undercut the throw, so read the flat defender's depth before committing to that route. Watch for a robber or lurking linebacker sitting in the middle of the field, this defender is drawn to crosser routes and can jump the throw if the quarterback stares it down. Two deep safeties who stay high post snap signal Cover 2 or Cover 4, which limits the go route, in that case the crosser working the intermediate window becomes the primary answer. Overload blitzes off the edge with only five in protection can force a quick decision, identify the extra rusher pre-snap and be ready to hot route protection or get the ball out immediately to the crosser.
Usage Tips
Check the safety alignment before the snap, if you see two high safeties bail to a single high shell post snap that usually means man coverage is coming underneath, which is when the go route and crosser both open up.
Hot route the crosser to a shallow drag against zone heavy defenses if you need a faster underneath answer versus Tampa 2 or Cover 3 sink.
Use this play on second and medium to second and long when defenses expect run out of 12 personnel, the play action fake threat from other calls in this set like PA Y Cross Flood sets up the same crosser look.
Pair this call with Four Verticals or PA Dagger earlier in a series so defenders start respecting the vertical shot, then come back to Y-go Slot Cross to hit the crosser sitting in the void.
Against aggressive user blitzers, get the ball out on rhythm to the crosser since the go route occupies the deep defender and buys the quarterback an extra half second.
