Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
RNS Streak X Shallow is a trips-based passing concept out of Pistol that combines a deep vertical shot with an underneath crossing route. The outside trips receiver runs a streak up the sideline, the middle slot receiver climbs vertical before bending into a corner-breaking route, and the X receiver on the backside runs a shallow cross underneath the formation to clear space and give the quarterback a quick outlet. This is a man beater at its core, using the shallow drag to create natural rub traffic against man coverage while the streak and corner routes stretch the field vertically, forcing linebackers and safeties to pick their poison. Primary read progression starts with the shallow cross for a quick underneath completion, then works to the middle corner route as the intermediate option, and finally the outside streak as the home run shot if a defender bites on the shorter routes.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify the shallow defender responsibility, if a linebacker or slot corner is sitting low in the middle of the field they can undercut the shallow cross and jump the route for a big hit or pick. Watch safety depth before the snap, a two high shell with soft corners signals the streak may be doubled, so the quarterback should look to the corner route instead. Post-snap, key any user-controlled defender flashing down into the shallow route, this is the biggest threat since a good user can sit on the crosser and bait a risky throw. Cover 2 with aggressive flat defenders can squeeze the shallow cross and force the ball to the corner route, where a high safety rotating over the top can close the window quickly. Man coverage with no safety help over the top of the streak is the biggest bust for the defense, since a free release release release on the outside streak leads to an uncontested deep shot.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a hard count to see if the defense shifts to trips, this will tell you if you are facing man or zone coverage before the snap.
If you see single high safety with the corners playing tight to the trips side, trust the shallow cross to X since it beats most man concepts working across the field.
Against zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4, key the middle corner route since it settles into the soft spot between the flat defender and the deep third or quarter defender.
Pair this play with RNS Houston Mesh or RNS Army Mesh in your play-calling sequence, since both use similar shallow crossing concepts and will condition the defense to jump underneath routes, setting up the streak for an explosive play later in the drive.
Best used on second or third and medium situations where you need a chunk gain, since the shallow cross guarantees a checkdown if the deep routes are covered.
