Playbooks

H Mtn X Shallow Cross

Shotgun·Trey Open·11
Shallow CrossMotionPass PlayCrosser
Play diagram for H Mtn X Shallow Cross from Shotgun Trey Open in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

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Breakdown

H Mtn X Shallow Cross is a man beater built off Trey Open Shotgun with the H back motioning across the formation before the snap. At the snap, X runs the shallow cross underneath while the motioned H runs an out and up the sideline, the Y (inline TE) breaks outside on a corner-ish route, and the backside Z runs an over route working from the numbers back to the middle of the field at depth. The RB stays in to help protect while the line pass blocks, and the primary read progression starts with the X shallow cross working left to right through traffic, then climbs to the H flat/wheel breaking vertical, then to the deep crossing Z if the shallow is taken away.

Defensive Reads

Watch the linebacker or slot defender assigned to H during motion, if that defender mirrors the motion across the formation it confirms man coverage and the shallow cross should win versus most man to man calls. Identify the middle linebacker depth at the snap, if he sits shallow to jump the crosser you need to progress quickly to the H flat or the deep Z crossing route instead of forcing the throw underneath. Cover 3 zone defenses with a hard flowing linebacker to the strong side can undercut the shallow cross, so key on whether the strong side linebacker widens with the H motion or stays home to rob the crosser. Man coverage with a deep half safety over the top is where this concept struggles most since the deep Z over route runs into help, look for two high safety shells staying split post snap as a sign to check away from this play. Blitz heavy fronts that bring extra rushers off the edge can collapse the pocket before the shallow cross fully develops, if you see a nano blitz alignment pre-snap be ready to get the ball out on the shallow route immediately rather than climbing the progression.

Usage Tips

Use the pre-snap motion on H to identify man versus zone before the snap, if the defender follows H across the formation you know you are getting man coverage and the shallow cross becomes a layup against most man schemes.

Against zone shells, look to hit the X shallow cross in the void underneath linebackers who are dropping to their zone landmarks, then progress to the deep Z crossing route if the underneath defenders sink too far.

This play pairs well with Curls or Double Ins in the same set since both use similar formation motion but attack different levels, keep defenses guessing by alternating between them on early downs.

Best used on second and medium to long or third and medium since the shallow cross takes a beat to develop and needs a clean pocket, avoid calling this on third and long against heavy blitz tendencies unless you have a hot route ready to dump it off quick.

If you see man coverage pre-snap, consider hot routing the shallow cross to break away from a trailing defender or motion H to create a natural rub for the underneath crosser.

Other Plays in Trey Open