The Air Raid Y-Cross Concept is one of the many great passing concepts within the Air Raid Offense. I’m not alone with this feeling. Great coaches like Chip Kelly, Mike Leach, Hal Mumme, and Noel Mazzone feel the same way about this great Air Raid Concept.
Why?
Because it is one of the few Air Raid concepts that pairs up beautifully with play action.
Why Use Play-Action in the Air Raid?
Because you have to run the ball sometimes.Yes, I do love to throw the ball. A lot. Yet, I believe you have to keep the defense honest. Now, I know you can do that through quick screens to wide receivers, and slow screens to the running back. But the tried and true method of keeping a defense on its toes is good .
I know that is blasphemy to say in the Air Raid Offense, but it is true. And yes, I know you can throw quick screens to wide receivers and slow screens to the running back, and say that’s your run game. But let’s be honest - that’s a cop out. Sometimes you are going to have to line up and run the ball down the defenses throat. Especially in high school
Which is great. Because now you can dial up the play action and really mess with the defense.
What is the Y-Cross Concept?
The Y-Cross concept is a weakside flood concept. It can be run from a million different formations, but the main two formations are the following:
Air Raid Y-Cross Concept out of a 2 x 2 Formation
Air Raid Y-Cross Concept from a 2 x 2 set.
This is usually the first formation the Air Raid Y-Cross Concept is installed in. The wide receiver routes are as followed:
L - 10-yard post. Your angle of departure is behind the safety. If the safety is bailing then you are still trying to get behind him.
F - 10 yard out.
Y - Crossing route 18-22 yards to the opposite hash. You must go under the Sam and over top the Mike. You can stop in grass and show hands after you go over the top of the Mike linebacker.
R - 15-yard dig. Sit in grass. Keep going if it is man.
Quarterback’s progression
Three step drop then it is L to F to Y to R.
Air Raid Y-Cross Concept out of a 3 x 1 Formation
Air Raid Y-Cross Concept from a 3×1 set.
The second way is out of 3 x 1. The wide receiver routes and quarterback’s progression change a bit:
L - 10-yard post. Your angle of departure is behind the safety. If the safety is bailing then you are still trying to get behind him.
Y - Crossing route 18-22 yards to the opposite hash. You must go under the Sam and over top the Mike. You can stop in grass and show hands after you go over the top of the Mike linebacker.
F - Bubble Screen. You are taking two steps forward then back pedaling towards the sideline.
R - 15-yard dig. Sit in grass. Keep going if it is man.
Quarterback’s progression
Three step drop then it is L to Y to R to F
That’s how most teams run the Air Raid Y-Cross Concept
Not me though. I don’t like to use this route as a straight drop back. I’m more of a fan of play-actioning this route. How do I do that?
By utilizing a two-back formation.
See, I think the Wing-T guys are on to something with utilizing motion in their offense. High school defenders can’t help to stare at the motion. Hell, I’m a coach and I sometimes get caught up in the motion.
So why not use motion in the Spread?
Air Raid Y-Cross Concept out of Two-Back Formation
Air Raid Y-Cross Concept Out of Two Back Formation
I put the F in the backfield in my two-back formation. The quarterback puts him in motion and hikes the ball. The offensive line will execute our play-action protection based on our Pin and Pull scheme.
I like this play-action blocking paired with the motion because it confuses the defense. The F is going to the right and the right guard is pulling to the left.This makes the linebackers’ heads spin. Which lets our guys get wide open for an easy pitch and catch opportunities.
Rules for the Wide Receiver
L - 10-yard post. Your angle of departure is behind the safety. If the safety is bailing then you are still trying to get behind him.
Y - Crossing route 18-22 yards to the opposite hash. You must go under the Sam and over top the Mike. You can stop in grass and show hands after you go over the top of the Mike linebacker.
R - 15-yard dig. Sit in grass. Keep going if it is man.
F - Swing Route. You are the ‘Oh Shit’ route. If no defender is around you and you can guarantee 10 yards then give a ‘Ball’ call.
Quarterback’s Progression
L to Y to R to F. Unless he hears a ‘Ball’ call from the F. Then that’s an automatic throw. If the ball gets picked off then it isn’t the quarterback’s fault. It’s the F’s fault.
There you go coaches. That’s how I utilize the Air Raid Y-Cross Concept within my offense. If you do anything different then please leave a comment below. And before you go, check out AirRaidDrills.com for a free eBook on three Air Raid drills you need to run in order to be successful in the Air Raid Offense.
Until next time coaches, let’s continue to Master the Spread, Score Points, and Have Fun!
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