Jet Touch Pass

Check the alignment of the outside linebacker or slot defender on the jet motion side before the snap, since a defender who follows the motion tightly signals man coverage and opens the crossing route. Watch for a flat defender sitting still after the motion, which usually means zone coverage and a sinking defender who can jump the touch pass throw. Cover 2 and Cover 3 shells with disciplined corners sitting on the flat route can shut this down quickly, so be ready to reset to the crossing route as your checkdown. Identify blitz packages that bring extra pressure off the edge on the motion side, since the touch pass is designed to get the ball out fast and beat a blitz before it arrives. User controlled defenders sitting in a shallow lurk position between the flat and the crosser are the biggest threat to this concept, so hold the ball a beat if you see a defender flashing into that window.