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Breakdown
90 Z Shallow out of Shotgun Spread Slots Close is a shallow cross concept built to attack man and zone coverage with a full route distribution. The Z runs a deep dig that breaks hard to a post/vertical, crossing under a shallow drag from the opposite receiver that clears the middle of the field. Underneath, the HB releases out of the backfield on a wheel/flare route to the flat while the backside receiver runs a quick out breaking away from the formation, giving the quarterback a five level stretch. The primary read starts with the shallow drag crossing the field, then progresses to the dig sitting down over the middle, using the HB flat route as the checkdown against blitz.
Defensive Reads
Pre snap, check safety depth and leverage on the Z receiver's side since a single high safety cheating over the top signals Cover 3 or Cover 1, which opens the dig route behind underneath defenders. Watch the flow of linebackers at the snap since aggressive linebacker blitzes or fast run fits will leave the shallow drag and HB flat wide open for quick completions. Key the slot corner or nickel defender across from the shallow drag route since if he sinks into a deep zone drop instead of trailing the route, that confirms zone coverage and tells the quarterback to climb the progression to the dig. This play struggles against tight man coverage with a deep lurking safety who can rob the dig route, so be ready to check down to the HB wheel route if the middle of the field stays clogged. Cover 2 shells with physical corners can disrupt the shallow drag at the line, so if you see two deep safeties and press corners, prioritize the backside out route or HB flat as quicker access throws.
Usage Tips
Pre snap, identify whether the defense is showing man or zone by checking the depth of the slot corner over the shallow drag runner since that route is the first read and a clear man beater against off coverage.
If you see two high safeties and soft zone underneath, work the dig route since the shallow drag will get picked up by shallow zone defenders sitting in the hook area.
Hot route the backside out route into a deeper comeback against Cover 3 to hold the flat defender and open a bigger throwing window for the dig.
This play pairs well with 90 Y Shallow and RNS 90 Replace Y Stick since both share the shallow crossing action, letting you keep the defense guessing with similar initial route keys but different second level breaks.
Use this on second and medium or third and short since the shallow drag and HB flat give you quick access throws, while the dig and vertical give you explosive play potential if the defense bites on the underneath routes.
