What Is the Yankee Passing Concept?

Aug 24

2 min read

Updated: 6 hours ago

The Yankee concept pairs a deep post route with a deep over route crossing from the other side. The post threatens the secondary vertically; the over route attacks the space beneath or away from that threat.

Part of Football 101. Explore the guide to choose your next topic.

The Yankee concept is a two-route downfield combination built around a deep post and a deep over route. The post attacks or occupies the deep safety. The over route crosses behind the linebackers into the space the post creates.

It often appears with play action, but the route relationship defines the concept. Terminology and route landmarks vary by offense.

Why two routes work together

The post receiver sells vertical speed before bending toward the middle. The over receiver crosses behind the underneath defenders while maintaining enough separation from the post that one defender cannot easily close both windows.

Against a common single safety picture, the deep safety must respect the post. That can create room for the over route behind the linebackers. If the safety abandons the post to attack the crosser, the deeper throw may become available instead.

The post route has its own timing and leverage requirements. It is not merely a decoy automatically removed from the quarterback’s choices.

What play action adds

A convincing run fake can bring underneath defenders toward the line and delay their retreat into the crossing window. Green Bay’s official film study illustrates that relationship with a post holding a safety while a crossing route develops behind a reacting linebacker.

Protection still has to last long enough for the routes to unfold. The quarterback cannot force the deep over if an underneath defender gains depth or a safety rotates into it.

The read changes with coverage

There is no universal post first rule. Coaches build progressions around protection, leverage and anticipated coverage. Against man, the over route may run away from a trailing defender. Against zone, the throw must fit between moving defenders. Matching coverages can carry the crosser and keep help above the post.

If both routes are covered, the outlet can be the correct answer.

How to spot Yankee

Look for one receiver climbing and bending inward while another crosses the field at a shallower depth. Then watch the deepest defender’s response.

Do not call every post and short crossing route Yankee. The coordinated downfield spacing is the useful identifying feature. It differs from Flood’s three routes toward one side and from Levels’ pair of in breaking routes at different heights.