Football Library · Plays
Y-Cross· 11v11 Tackle
An inside receiver — TE/Y in tackle, the slot in 5v5/6v6/7v7 flag — runs a DEEP crosser at 14-16 yds, paired with a deep clear-out (Post or Go) on top and a flat/drag underneath. Triangle stretch — high (clear), medium (deep cross), low (flat) on the same side. QB reads the safety, then the LB. Beats man and zone equally. Air Raid + West Coast staple.
Coaching breakdown
Y-Cross — An inside receiver — TE/Y in tackle, the slot in 5v5/6v6/7v7 flag — runs a DEEP crosser at 14-16 yds, paired with a deep clear-out (Post or Go) on top and a flat/drag underneath. Triangle stretch — high (clear), medium (deep cross), low (flat) on the same side. QB reads the safety, then the LB. Beats man and zone equally. Air Raid + West Coast staple. reads Singleback: take the open window — work the progression below in order.
Progression:
- 14-yd post — split the safeties — your home-run shot when the FS bites underneath.
- 15-yd dig — secondary — work behind the underneath defender's drop.
- 4-yd flat — low element of the high-low — the throw if the curl defender drops.
- 18-yd go — clear the deep safety; throw if the corner gives a soft shoulder.
- 3-yd drag — settle in the underneath window — keep eyes on the QB.
- : pass protect.
- : pass protect.
- : pass protect.
- : pass protect.
- : pass protect.
When to call it
Big-play call vs Cover 1 — the crosser becomes a 1-on-1 with a linebacker on a deep angle. Best on 2nd-and-long when you need a chunk.
Common mistakes
- Crosser stays flat instead of climbing — should be at 18-22 yards by the time he crosses the hash.
- No underneath outlet route; the play falls apart vs pressure and the QB has nowhere to go.
- Post + dig stack at the same depth on the same side; depth and side differentiation is what stretches the safety.