Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Slot Cross out of Shotgun Normal Flex Wing (11 personnel) shows a five man route concept with no visible pass protection extra help, meaning it is a straight dropback passing concept. The outside receiver to the boundary runs a deep dig that breaks hard across the middle, the slot receiver runs a crossing route underneath that settles and works away from the dig, the tight end runs a short flat/angle route working outside, and the receiver to the field side runs a vertical seam while the running back releases on a shallow flat route as the checkdown. This is primarily a man beater, since the crossing routes at different depths create natural rub and separation against man coverage, with the primary read progression starting on the deep dig, working down to the crossing route underneath, and checking down to the running back in the flat.
Defensive Reads
Read the cornerback depth and hip position pre-snap, since press man corners are vulnerable to the crossing routes rubbing off each other and creating natural separation. Identify single high safety shells (like Cover 1 or Cover 3) since the deep dig route to the boundary is designed to sit down in the window behind linebackers and in front of the deep safety. Watch for a user controlled defender sitting in a lurk position underneath the crossing routes, since a smart human defender can jump the shallow cross and force the quarterback to hold the ball. Zone defenses with two deep safeties (Cover 2 or Cover 4) can bracket the vertical seam route on the field side, so avoid forcing that throw if you see two safeties split evenly at the snap. Look for linebackers blitzing off the edge or up the middle post-snap, since the running back's flat route becomes the key checkdown against pressure that beats the crossing concept before it develops.
Usage Tips
Use this play on second or third and medium to long situations where you need a chunk gain over the middle of the field.
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing man coverage with corners in a tight press alignment, since the crossing routes will create natural separation against man defenders trying to fight through traffic.
If you see a single high safety shell, prioritize the deep dig route to the boundary since it will have room to work behind the linebackers and in front of the deep safety.
Hot route the running back to a stick or flat route if the defense shows blitz look pre-snap, giving quarterback a quick outlet against pressure.
Pair this play with HB Power or HB Dive from the same set to keep defenses honest against the run, then come back to Slot Cross once linebackers start creeping up to sell run support.
