Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Y Shallow Cross out of Pistol Spread 10 personnel sends both outside receivers vertical on go routes to clear out the deep zones and hold safeties, while the slot receiver runs a deep dig that sits down around 15 yards to occupy the middle linebacker zone. The Y (inline receiver or slot to the boundary) runs the namesake shallow cross underneath the entire formation, working from the strong side all the way across the field, with the running back releasing on a check release flare into the shallow flat as a safety valve. This is a classic man beater built on natural rub picks from the shallow crosser, and the primary read progression starts with the shallow cross underneath, works to the check release in the flat, then climbs to the deep dig if the crosser is taken away.
Defensive Reads
Presnap, check linebacker depth and spacing, if the middle linebacker is sitting shallow in a zone shell he can undercut the crosser and blow up the primary read. Watch for a user lurking in the shallow zone with a linebacker or nickel defender, this is the single biggest counter to the shallow cross and forces you to check down to the running back or climb to the dig. Cover 3 with a hard flat defender can take away both the check release and the shallow cross on the same side, so key the flat defender leverage before committing to the throw. Man coverage with no safety help over the top is the ideal shell to beat, since the two vertical go routes on the outside will stress the corners and open up the underground crossing routes. If you see a blitz with only underneath zone behind it, get the ball out immediately to the shallow cross or check release before the pocket collapses, since the deep routes will take too long to develop.
Usage Tips
Use this play on second and third and medium when you expect man coverage, since the shallow cross generates natural traffic against man defenders trailing across the field.
Presnap, identify if the defense shows single high or two high, if you see man press corners on the outside receivers this play is money because the vertical routes will occupy the corners while the crosser works free underneath.
Hot route the check release running back to a stay in protection if you are facing a heavy blitz look, this gives you an extra blocker while the crosser and dig develop.
Pair this play with Y Corner or Y Stick from the same set to keep the defense guessing between the shallow crosser and quick underneath throws, this forces linebackers to hesitate on their zone drops.
On third and long, look to the deep dig first if the middle linebacker bites hard on the shallow cross, since the dig sits down right behind the vacated zone.
