Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Dbl Slot Cross is a five man route concept out of Empty Trey that isolates both slot receivers on crossing routes underneath a deep clear out. The left X runs a deep corner post to hold the safety while the outside slot runs an over route from right to left that settles as a shallow crosser, and the two inside receivers run a mesh style drag and dig combo that crosses right under the linebackers, with the far right receiver running a vertical seam to stretch the deep zone. This is a man beater built to create natural rubs and separation through the mesh point, with the primary read starting on the shallow crosser working left, then progressing to the dig sitting behind it, and finally to the vertical seam if the defense rolls coverage away from the crossers.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth at the snap since shallow zone drops from the mike and will linebacker will sit right in the crossing lane and can jump the sit route if they read the QB's eyes. Man coverage with no safety help over the top is the biggest vulnerability here because the natural crossing traffic creates rub separation that man defenders struggle to fight through. Robber or lurk defenders sitting in the middle of the field can undercut the dig route, so if you see a defender cheating into that zone before the snap, expect the QB to look elsewhere. Cover 3 with a deep half rotation can bracket the vertical seam route on the right, taking away the last progression and forcing the QB back into the crossing routes. Disguised blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge put pressure on the timing of this play, since the crossers take time to develop and a fast pass rush can force an early or inaccurate throw.
Usage Tips
Check pre-snap for man coverage indicators like DBs lined up tight on the slots since the crossing traffic at the mesh point creates natural picks against man defenders.
Use the vertical seam route on the right as a hot read against blitz looks since it clears out fast and gives the QB a quick throwing lane if the crossers are jumped.
This play pairs well with Slot Drive or TE Slot Cross in the same set since both attack similar horizontal windows and let you keep the defense guessing on which crosser to jump.
Best called on second and medium to long distance where the sit and drag combo can pick up a full route conversion against zone drops.
If the defense shows heavy zone shells with deep half safeties, prioritize the shallow crosser over the dig since it settles into the softest underneath window.
