Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Y Shallow X Post out of Shotgun Spread Y-Slot sends the X receiver on a deep post from the backside while the Y (slot TE/WR) runs a shallow cross underneath the formation all the way to the opposite flat. The outside receiver to the trips side runs a corner route stretching the sideline, the inside slot receiver on that side runs a vertical clear-out, and the RB releases on a check release option route out of the backfield. This is a man beater that uses the shallow cross to create natural rub traffic against man coverage while the post gives you a shot play answer versus single-high safety looks, with the primary read starting on the post to X, working down to the shallow crosser, and finishing with the check release out of the backfield.
Defensive Reads
Key the deep safety pre-snap, if he is aligned in the middle of the field in a single-high shell the X post has a clean lane to attack the void behind the linebackers Watch for Cover 3 or Cover 1 rotations post-snap, both leave the post route in a soft spot if the safety bites on the shallow crosser User the backside linebacker or nickel defender to jump the shallow cross since it is the first route the quarterback progresses to versus zone drops Press man coverage on the X with no safety help disguises well but gets beat badly by the post if the corner does not get a clean jam, so bail early with outside leverage if you are playing man Cover 2 shells with two deep safeties shut this play down hardest since the post has no room to sit down in the middle, force the quarterback to check down to the shallow route or RB instead
Usage Tips
Pre-snap identify if the safety is showing single-high or two-high, since the X post only has room to work versus one-high shells with the safety rotated away
If you see man coverage with no safety help over the top, take the shot to the post immediately off the snap before the pass rush closes the pocket
Use the shallow crosser as your safety valve versus blitz looks, it clears low under linebackers and gives you a quick outlet if the post is capped
Pair this play with Y Shallow Cross or Z Shallow Cross in your play-calling sequence so the defense has to respect the shallow route from multiple formations and cannot key on the post as easily
Best called on 2nd and medium to long or early first down passing situations where you can afford to let the deep post develop through your progression
Motion the check release RB pre-snap if you suspect man coverage to get a free access read on the linebacker covering him
