Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Jet Pull Shallow lines up out of Shotgun Bunch with 11 personnel and uses jet motion across the formation before the snap, which sets up misdirection and puts stress on the flow of the second level. Off the snap, one bunch receiver runs a deep shallow cross underneath from the point man, another climbs to a corner route breaking outside at the numbers, and the third releases on a deep dig-style crosser working from the opposite side of the formation, while the in-line tag runs a short pivot route in the flat area behind the line. This is a man beater built on the shallow cross clearing underneath traffic and the corner route creating a natural high-low conflict, with the primary read progression starting on the shallow cross, moving to the flat pivot route, and finishing with the corner route if the crosser gets picked up in man coverage.
Defensive Reads
Watch for linebackers spying the jet motion pre-snap, since man coverage defenders will shadow the motion man and open up a clean throwing lane on the shallow cross. Key the flat defender on the pivot route side, since a defender sitting too deep will allow an easy completion underneath while a defender jumping the route leaves the corner route uncovered behind him. Identify single high safety shells (Cover 3 or Cover 1) as the biggest vulnerability for this play, since the deep middle defender cannot help on both the corner route and the deep crosser at the same time. Look for user controlled defenders sitting in the shallow crossing lane, since a lurking linebacker or nickel defender jumping the cross will bait a quick check down to the pivot route in the flat. Cover 2 with aggressive corners jamming the bunch release can disrupt the timing of this concept, since the corner route needs a clean outside release to threaten the sideline before the safety rotates over.
Usage Tips
Check the pre-snap alignment of the linebackers before sending the jet motion, since a defense that follows the motion man across the formation is showing man coverage and confirms the shallow cross will be open underneath.
Use the shallow cross as your first read against man coverage since the natural rub from the bunch alignment forces defenders to fight through traffic and creates instant separation.
If the defense shows a two high safety shell with the corners playing off, target the corner route on the outside release since zone defenders will be occupied with the crosser and pivot route underneath.
Pair this play with Bunch Sail or Mesh from the same set to keep the defense guessing on whether the shallow crosser or the deeper flood concept is coming, since both plays start with a similar bunch alignment.
Use this on third and medium situations since the shallow cross gives a high percentage completion and the corner route provides a chunk play option if the linebackers over pursue the underneath routes.
