Playbooks
Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.
| Player | Side | Route |
|---|---|---|
| HB1 | Left | Flat |
| TE1 | Right | Wheel |
| WR1 | Left | Flat |
| WR2 | Right | Post |
| WR3 | Right | Drag |
Shallow Cross out of Shotgun Split Cowboy is a classic man beater built around a shallow crosser working underneath a deeper crossing route, creating natural traffic that forces defenders to fight through picks. The primary read starts with the shallow drag from one side of the field to the other, working through the crosser breaking in from the opposite direction, then climbing to any dig or corner route working the intermediate level. This is not a play-action or RPO concept, it is a straight dropback pass play designed to punish man coverage and beat blitzes with quick underneath access.
Watch for a single high safety presnap, which signals man coverage and tells you the crossing routes will create natural separation through traffic. Identify if linebackers are sitting in shallow zone drops, since that clogs the drag route and forces you to progress quickly to the deeper crosser or dig. Key on user controlled defenders spying the middle of the field, as a smart lurk defender can undercut the shallow crosser and jump the throwing lane. Recognize Cover 2 or Tampa 2 shells by two deep safeties, which invites the deeper crossing route to settle into the seam before the safety can rotate over. Watch blitz indicators like linebackers creeping toward the line presnap, since a fast developing shallow route beats most standard blitz packages before pressure arrives.
Presnap identify man coverage by checking for a single high safety with corners lined up tight on the receivers, since this play thrives against man due to the natural rub created by the crossing routes.
Use the shallow drag as your immediate hot read versus blitz looks, since the route develops fast and gets separation against blitzing linebackers before they can drop into coverage.
Against zone shells, look to the deeper crosser sitting down in the void between the linebacker level and the safety, especially versus Tampa 2 or Cover 3 where the middle can open up after the initial drop.
Pair this play with Mesh or Slot Cross earlier in a series to condition the defense to crash down on shallow routes, then hit them with 689 Hook or Falcons X Dig to attack the void those adjustments create over the middle.
Best used on third and medium or in two minute situations where the quick underneath access and rhythm throws let you pick up consistent chunks without needing a deep shot.