Playbooks
Mtn Slot Cross is a passing concept out of Shotgun Split Twins Offset Close with 21 personnel that attacks the middle of the field with a mountain crossing action from the slot receiver. The slot man runs a deep crosser working from one side of the field to the other, while the underneath routes create a natural pick action against man coverage and settle into soft spots versus zone drops. This is primarily a man beater given the rub potential from the crossing route, but it also holds up against zone thanks to the layered depth, with the primary read being the slot cross itself before working down to the underneath check down or flat route.
Watch the slot corner at the snap, if he opens his hips and trails in man coverage the crosser will beat him across the field once the rub takes effect. Key the middle linebacker depth pre-snap, a shallow drop signals Cover 3 or Cover 1 with a lurking defender ready to jump the crossing route. Identify two high safeties pre-snap for Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells, since these coverages can squeeze the crosser with underneath zone help if the user controls the middle defender. Post-snap, watch for a user controlled linebacker sitting in the crossing lane, this is the biggest threat to the primary read and should trigger a check down to the flat or check route. Beware of Cover 0 or man blitz packages with no safety help, the crosser can still win but the quarterback has to get through his drop and release before the pressure arrives.
Take a pre-snap look at the slot corner alignment, if he is playing tight man with no safety help over the top, the mountain cross has a built in rub that will spring the slot receiver open against the grain.
Use motion or a hot route on the underneath receiver to hold a linebacker in the flat if you see Cover 3 sink, this opens up the crossing window even wider.
This play pairs well with Mtn PA Switch Sail out of the same set, since both use similar mountain action but attack different levels, forcing linebackers to bite on run fits or flat routes.
Best called on second and medium or third and long when you need a chunk gain over the middle, since the crosser takes time to develop and needs a clean pocket.
If the defense shows a heavy blitz look pre-snap, check to Mtn HB Swing or RPO Alert Swing from the same set to get the ball out quickly instead of forcing the deep cross into pressure.