X, Y, Z Recievers...

[Santana32]

Our coaches never used this, but I've heard it before...

I need confirmation;

The X is the very reciever to the left;

The Y is the slot reciever that lines up behind the LOS;

The Z in the reciever to the very right...

Is this correct, or is there more?

[JTMoney]

can vary depending on the system and terminology, but in general, the most common definition ive seen:

x is the split end, the end man on the line of scrimmage, who is split from the O-line, regardless of which side he lines up on.

y is the tight end, the end man on the line of scrimmage who lines up tight (next to a tackle), regardless of side.

z is the flanker, who does not line up on the line of scrimmage...can be either a WR or a wing.

usually X and Z are the WRs, the key is whether they line up ON or OFF the line, and Y is usually the TE.

X.......T..G..C..G..T..Y
...............QB......................Z
...............FB
...............TB


........Y..T..G..C..G..T........X
Z.................QB


X.........T..G..C..G..T..Y
.....Z............QB


etc

this is for a general 2x2 formation, pretty standard, when you move more players around the terminology can change, for example

X........T..G..C..G..T..Y
.....H..........QB......................Z
.
..................F


..........X..T..G..C..G..T..Y
.......Z............QB
.....................FB
.....................TB


X.........T..G..C..G..T........Y
.....H......................F.........Z
.
..................QB




X and Z are usually pretty standard, in terms of being ON or OFF the line...

but its possible that Y can refer to a slot WR instead of TE - instead of H in my diagrams, but i personally like the system of having Y as the TE and H and F as the runningbacks, because you can be more flexible with it.

[Santana32]

That makes perfect sense; I was trying to make an educated guess...

So what if you have more than 4-5 recievers on field...

[KELLYISTHEMAN]

I would guess they'd be marked as A or Hbacks split out.

[Jimi18]

wow.. i shoud visit this area of the forum more often... i was just going to ask

i know what a double X is in defense, (cover the x guy with 2 guys) but not sure what double z meant, but now i do

[JTMoney]

Originally Posted by Santana32

That makes perfect sense; I was trying to make an educated guess...

So what if you have more than 4-5 recievers on field...

you cant have more than 5 wides - there are only 5 eligible receivers on any play, plus a QB. 5 linemen are ineligible, 1 QB, and 5 wides (2 must line up on the line and the other 3 can be anywhere off of the line). either way, X and Y would be your two ends lined up on the line, who can be either split wide or in tight, and Z, F, and H would be anywhere else, either split as a flanker, in tight as a wing, or in the backfield as a RB.

[raiderfanrich]

for us its the following

Z always lines up on the strong side and is always offline
X on the left
Y is the TE
H would be the slot

[Bleed S & B]

The other way you hear people refer to them is:

Split End = X
Flanker = Z
Slot = Y/H

[or24]

I understand x, y, and z where they line up but Ive heard from some people that the split end should be a stronger reciever because he might face more press coverage since he has no space lining up directly on the line. Is that true at all? Are the flanker and split end almost like 2 different positions? lol

[Bleed S & B]

Usually the number 1 receiver is the flanker because he's off the line and it's harder to jam him. It's not necessarily true that you put the stronger WR as the SE. TO is a flanker and there aren't many WR's stronger than him. After you get pass the jam they really aren't that much different.

[JKJRAIDER]

Originally Posted by or24

I understand x, y, and z where they line up but Ive heard from some people that the split end should be a stronger reciever because he might face more press coverage since he has no space lining up directly on the line. Is that true at all? Are the flanker and split end almost like 2 different positions? lol

Originally Posted by Bleed S & B

Usually the number 1 receiver is the flanker because he's off the line and it's harder to jam him. It's not necessarily true that you put the stronger WR as the SE. TO is a flanker and there aren't many WR's stronger than him. After you get pass the jam they really aren't that much different.

Actually, it is going to depend on the formation call using your example of TO he does not lineup o the same side as Witten/TE therefore making him a WR/SE.
And yes that receiver that is on the line ideally you want him to be stronger or adept at releasing from the jam. The flanker is off the line plus he has the TE so and the SS to his side so the corner will play "off" he can be smaller.