Playbooks

Inside Cross

Pistol·Trips·11

Crosser Pass Play

Play diagram for Inside Cross from Pistol Trips in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationPistol

SetTrips

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 7 playbooks

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Breakdown

Inside Cross out of Pistol Trips 11 personnel features the backside receiver running a deep crossing route (the red line) that sits underneath the two trips receivers, one of whom clears out on a corner route while the other runs a dig or square-in behind him. On the trips side, the inside slot receiver runs a shallow drag that mirrors the crosser's depth to create a natural pick or rub against man defenders. This is primarily a man beater thanks to the crossing action creating natural separation, though the underneath sit routes give it enough zone answers to work against Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells as well. The primary read progression starts with the deep corner route as a shot play, works down to the crosser sitting in the middle void, and checks down to the shallow drag if the coverage clears out underneath.

Defensive Reads

Pre snap, identify if the corner over the trips side is playing off man or bailing into a zone drop, since off coverage tells you the crosser will have room to work. Watch the middle linebacker depth at the snap, a linebacker sitting shallow signals zone coverage that will clog the crossing route's window. User the closest defender to the crosser's path if you are on defense, since sitting in that intermediate zone lurk spot is the best way to jump the route before it develops. This concept struggles against a robber or Tampa 2 shell where a safety or linebacker sits in the exact throwing lane the crosser occupies. Blitz packages that bring pressure off the edge can rush the quarterback before the crosser clears the numbers, so an offense needs a quick hot read or hitch to the flat if a nano blitz is showing pre snap.

Usage Tips

Look for single high safety alignment pre snap since the corner route can take the top off a Cover 3 shell if the cornerback bites on the crosser. Use the crosser as your first read against man coverage because the natural traffic from the shallow drag creates a rub that slows down man defenders trailing across the field. Hot route the flat route to a deeper option if you are getting a Cover 2 shell since the flat defender will sit and take away that easy checkdown. Pair this with X Spot or Slants earlier in a series to condition the defense to expect quick game, then hit them with the delayed crosser for an explosive gain. This play shines on second and medium or third and medium since it gives you a horizontal stretch with a vertical shot built in, letting you take the checkdown if the defense sells out to stop the deep shot.