Playbooks

H Shallow Cross

Shotgun·Spread Y-Slot·11
Shallow CrossPass PlayCrosser
Play diagram for H Shallow Cross from Shotgun Spread Y-Slot in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

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Breakdown

H Shallow Cross out of Shotgun Spread Y-Slot sends the backside X on a deep vertical clear-out while the two inside receivers work a shallow drag and a spot route underneath, and the slot receiver on the strong side runs a deep out that stems back toward the sideline. On the right side, the TE and outside WR run a smash concept with the TE sitting on a corner route and the WR running a shorter comeback toward the flat. This is a man beater built around the shallow crosser clearing underneath traffic and picking off trailing defenders, with the primary read starting on the shallow drag before working to the deep out and finally to the corner route on the smash side.

Defensive Reads

Read the safety alignment pre-snap, single high safety usually means the deep clear-out route will occupy the deep middle and open space for the shallow drag. Key on linebacker depth at the snap, shallow linebackers or blitzing linebackers will struggle to get depth to cover the shallow crosser in time. Watch for user-controlled defenders sitting in the shallow zone or spot drop area, since this play is vulnerable to a lurking defender jumping the shallow crosser's route. Identify press man coverage on the outside receivers pre-snap, this confirms the shallow crosser should have natural rub protection against trailing defenders. Beware of Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells with disciplined zone drops, since sinking corners and hook defenders can take away both the shallow drag and the deep out combo.

Usage Tips

Use this on second or third down with medium to long yardage since the shallow crosser needs room to develop before the sticks.

Check pre-snap for man coverage indicators like tight press alignment on the outside WRs, since the shallow drag is designed to rub off any trailing defender.

If you see zone shells with linebackers sitting in short hook zones, hot route the shallow drag into a deeper in-route to sit behind the linebacker level.

Pair this play with Y Shallow Cross or Z Shallow Cross from the same set to keep the defense guessing on which receiver is clearing underneath versus running the deep out.

Use the deep vertical clear-out on the backside to pull single high safeties out of the shallow crosser's lane before checking down.

Other Plays in Spread Y-Slot