Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Shallow Cross out of Pistol Weak Slot Open sends both outside receivers vertical on go routes to clear out the top of the coverage while the slot receiver runs a deep dig into the middle of the field. Underneath, one inside receiver runs a shallow crosser working from the strong side all the way across the formation, and the HB releases into the flat with a quick angle route as a checkdown or man beater against a blitzing linebacker. This is a classic zone beater and man beater combo play with no play-action or run elements, built around high low stress on the middle linebacker between the shallow crosser and the deep dig, with the primary read progression going shallow cross first, deep dig second, and HB angle route as the safety valve.
Defensive Reads
Key the middle linebacker at the snap, if he sits on the shallow cross the deep dig behind him becomes an easy window for the quarterback Watch for a robber or lurk defender sitting in the shallow zone, this can jump the crosser and turn into a pick six if you sell out on that route without checking the deep dig Press man coverage on the outside receivers can bait the quarterback into checking down early to the HB angle route since the vertical routes take longer to separate Cover 3 with a hard flat corner can undercut the HB angle route, so send extra pressure off the edge to force a quicker throw before the deep dig develops Blitz heavy fronts that bring five or six rushers exploit this play since it only has one true outlet in the flat, time your blitz to hit before the shallow crosser clears the formation
Usage Tips
Use this on second and long or third and medium when you need a full field flood concept that stresses both shallow and intermediate zones at once
Presnap identify if the defense is showing two high safeties, since the deep dig has room to sit down in the honey hole against Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells
Against man coverage let the shallow cross work all the way across the field and user the receiver manually to rub off any trailing defender, this is one of the best man beaters in the set
If the HB angle route is uncovered against blitz look off linebackers, this is your built in blitz beater since it releases quickly into the flat
Pair this play with PA Boot Slide or Z Under from the same set so the defense has to respect play action tendencies before you come back with this dropback concept
