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Mtn Slot Shallow Cross

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Quick Reference

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Breakdown

Mtn Slot Shallow Cross is a man beater built around a shallow crossing route combined with a mountain (deep vertical) concept to stress defenders from top to bottom. The shallow crosser works underneath as a rhythm outlet against man coverage while the deep mountain routes occupy the safeties and clear out the middle of the field. Blocking is standard shotgun protection with the back available as a check down or leaking to the flat, and the primary read progression starts with the shallow cross against man leverage before working up to the mountain routes if the underneath is taken away.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify single high versus two high safety shells, single high often means more man coverage underneath which favors the shallow cross. Watch cornerback depth and technique, soft corners playing off will bait you into throwing the shallow route into a waiting zone defender. Post-snap, key the middle linebacker's drop, if he sinks deep to cover the mountain routes the shallow cross will be wide open in the vacated underneath area. Look for user controlled defenders lurking in the shallow crossing lane, a smart user will sit on this route knowing it is the primary read, so be ready to progress to the mountain concept. This play struggles against tight man coverage with underneath help or against a well disguised Cover 3 that keeps the shallow crosser blanketed by a spying linebacker.

Usage Tips

Use this play on early downs or third and medium when you expect man coverage since the shallow cross creates natural rub separation against man defenders. Check the cornerback alignment pre-snap, if you see press man or tight bump coverage the shallow route will win quickly off the snap. Hot route the shallow crosser to a slightly deeper angle against teams that like to sit their linebackers underneath, this gives more separation against zone drops. Pair this play with Mtn Snag Curls or Mtn Dash Flood in your play calling sequence so the defense has to respect both the shallow crossing action and the deeper sit routes, keeping linebackers honest. Save this concept for situations where you need a quick, high percentage completion since the shallow route is the main outlet against blitz looks.

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