Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Inside Cross out of Shotgun Spread Y-Slot Wk lines up with two receivers to the left, one to the right, and a slot receiver just outside the numbers. The backside outside receiver runs a deep crossing route from the left that stretches all the way across the field, the near left receiver runs the shallow drag underneath it, the slot receiver on the right side breaks on a deep corner route up the sideline, and the outside right receiver runs a shallow drag on the opposite side, giving you a true crossing concept with routes working at three levels. This is a man beater built around natural picks created by the crossing routes, and the primary read starts with the shallow drag away from the crosser before working back to the deep cross sitting down against zone or separating against man.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing single high safety, since that usually means man coverage underneath which is exactly what the deep crosser is designed to beat. Watch the linebacker depth at the snap because if they sink into the shallow drag lanes immediately, the offense should expect zone coverage and needs to work the deep cross behind them instead. Look for a user-controlled defender lurking in the middle of the field, since a smart user can jump the deep crosser's route and turn it into a big turnover if the quarterback throws on time without checking the drop. Two deep safeties, or Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells, tend to shut this play down because they take away the deep crosser's window and force the quarterback into short checkdowns only. Man to man with a linebacker spying the middle of the field is the toughest look for this concept since it eliminates the pick benefit the crossing routes are designed to create.
Usage Tips
Check the middle of the field pre-snap because this concept thrives against single high man coverage where the deep crosser can rub off traffic and separate from trailing defenders.
Use the shallow drag as your immediate answer against pressure since it clears the line of scrimmage fast and gives you a checkdown-style throw versus blitz looks.
Hot route the deep corner route to a hitch if you see a corner sitting on top in press man to avoid a contested throw down the sideline.
Pair this play with Double Cross or H Shallow Cross in your play-calling sequence so the defense has to respect crossing traffic on every snap, then mix in Four Verticals to punish teams cheating linebackers into the crossing lanes.
Best used on second and medium to second and long where the defense is more likely to play man coverage, since the deep cross needs time to develop against zone drops.
