Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Slot Cross out of Shotgun Split Offset (20 personnel) sends both outside receivers on vertical releases up the sideline to stretch the deep coverage, while the inner slot receiver runs a deep crossing route from the right side all the way across the field. The tight-end/slot on the left runs a shallow drag underneath that crosses the field low, giving a natural high-low crossing combo. This is a man beater built on crossing traffic to shake off tight coverage, with the primary read progression starting on the deep crosser working left, checking down to the shallow drag underneath if the crosser is covered, and going to the vertical outside routes as the deep shot option.
Defensive Reads
Key the middle linebacker depth at the snap, if he sinks deep into a hole zone he can jump the deep crosser and blow up the primary read. Watch for a user-controlled defender sitting in the intermediate middle zone (lurk technique) since that is the exact landing spot for the deep crossing route. Cover 3 and Cover 1 with aggressive underneath linebackers struggle to track the crosser across the field, making this a strong call against those shells. Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells with safeties sitting deep can rob the crosser late, so be ready to check down to the shallow drag if you see two safeties pre-snap. Watch for man-blitz packages that bring extra rushers, since the deep crosser takes a few seconds to clear traffic and can get the quarterback hit before the throw is ready.
Usage Tips
Look for single-high safety shells pre-snap since the deep crosser is most dangerous against man coverage or single-high zones where the middle of the field is thin.
Motion the shallow drag receiver before the snap to diagnose man versus zone based on whether a defender follows across the formation.
Hot route the outside vertical receivers into deep comebacks or hitches against soft zone coverage if the cornerbacks are playing off at the snap.
Pair this play with Y Shallow Cross or Tight Deep Cross earlier in a drive so the defense starts keying on shallow crossers, then hit them with the deeper Slot Cross double move.
Use this on second and medium to second and long situations since the deep crosser takes time to develop and needs a clean pocket.
