Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Z Crosser out of Shotgun Doubles Z Close lines up two receivers to the left, a tight end and receiver to the right, and a running back in the backfield. The backside outside receiver runs a deep crossing route all the way across the field underneath the two vertical routes from the left side, the tight end releases into a shallow drag underneath, the backside receiver from the right side runs a corner or go route, and the running back releases on a check release into a flat or angle route as the fifth option. This is a man beater built around the deep crosser creating natural rub traffic and separation against trailing defenders, with the primary read starting on the Z crosser working across the field before progressing to the drag underneath and the check down to the running back.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a user controlled linebacker or safety sitting in the middle of the field, often called a lurk defender, since he can jump the deep crosser if the quarterback stares it down too long. Check post-snap linebacker depth: if they drop deep into hook zones quickly, the crosser will be tightly covered and you should climb the progression to the drag route underneath. Man coverage with no safety help over the top gets exposed by the natural pick created between the crosser and the vertical route, so press coverage from corners is a green light to trust this concept. Cover 3 or Cover 4 zone shells with disciplined linebackers sinking into the crosser's lane are the best way to shut this play down, forcing the quarterback into a checkdown to the running back. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge can disrupt this play since the crosser takes time to develop, so identify pre-snap blitz indicators like linebackers creeping to the line and be ready to get the ball out quickly.
Usage Tips
Look for man coverage indicators pre-snap like cornerbacks pressed on the receivers or shaded outside, since the deep crosser thrives against man matchups by picking off trailing defenders on natural traffic. If the defense shows two high safeties with soft corners, this is still viable but you will need to trust the crosser to sit down in the void versus zone drops. Use hot routes to convert the running back's route into a wheel or flat route if you see man coverage from a linebacker to create a mismatch. This play works best on second or third and medium situations where the deep crosser has time to develop and the quarterback has a clean pocket to step into. Pair this with Z Cross Out or Mesh Spot in the same set to keep defenses guessing between crossing concepts that stress man coverage differently, and mix in Read Option or Inside Zone to keep linebackers honest against the play action look.
