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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
Inside Cross is a five man route concept out of Shotgun Spread Y-Flex 11 personnel that attacks the middle of the field with a deep crosser and layered underneath routes. The outside receiver to the boundary runs a deep vertical to clear space, while the slot receiver on that side runs an inside crossing route that sits down as a settling route across the field. On the strong side, the TE releases on a deep in route breaking away from the sideline and the outside receiver runs a corner route stretching the boundary, with the HB checking out of the backfield on a flat route to the weak side. This is a man beater built on natural rub traffic and pick potential from the crosser and settle route, with the primary read progression starting on the deep in route from the TE, then working down to the crossing route sitting in the middle, and finally checking the HB flat route as a built in outlet.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing man or zone by checking corner alignment on the outside receivers and safety depth, since press man with a single high safety is the biggest vulnerability for this concept. Watch for a linebacker or safety sitting in a lurk position over the middle of the field, since that defender can undercut the crossing route or the TE deep in route if the quarterback stares it down too long. Cover 3 with a hard flowing linebacker to the crosser side can close the window on the settling route, so the offense should be ready to reset to the deep in route or the corner route instead. Blitz packages that send extra rushers off the edge can be countered by the HB flat route, so defenders need to disguise pressure and get a hand on the running back to prevent an easy checkdown conversion. Press man corners who jump the outside vertical route early can bait the quarterback into throwing over the top, so defenses playing this concept correctly should stay patient and trust the safety help over the top.
Usage Tips
Look for man coverage indicators pre-snap such as corners lined up tight on the outside receivers and a single high safety, since the natural pick action from the crosser and settle route creates easy separation against man.
Use the HB flat route as a built in check down against any pressure look, especially when the defense shows blitz with linebackers creeping toward the line pre-snap.
Hot route the backside outside receiver into a slant or drag if the defense rolls to a two high shell to keep a route working underneath quickly instead of wasting a deep vertical against zone.
This play hits best on second or third and medium since the crosser needs a full route stem to develop and settle in soft spots between linebackers and safeties.
Pair Inside Cross with Y Cross or Y Shallow Cross from the same set to keep defenses guessing on which receiver is working the middle of the field, then mix in Double Slants for a quicker option against aggressive man press looks.
