Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 15 playbooks
Breakdown
Inside Cross is run from Shotgun Trips TE with the tight end aligned tight and three receivers to the trips side, and it is a classic man beater built around a deep crosser. The backside receiver runs a corner route while the slot from the trips side works an inside cross that clears all the way across the field, with an underneath receiver sitting into a shallow drag and the running back checking release into a flat route as a safety valve. The primary read starts with the deep crosser working from the trips side, then progresses down to the shallow drag and out to the flat route if the crosser gets picked up in traffic.
Defensive Reads
Identify if the defense shows man coverage pre-snap by checking corner alignment on the trips receivers, since tight press alignment signals man and opens up the crosser. Look for a middle linebacker or safety sitting in a hook zone at the snap, since that defender is the primary threat to jump the deep crosser in zone coverage. Watch the flat defender's depth and leverage, since if he widens with the flat route the shallow drag opens up underneath for an easy completion. Key on blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge, since the flat route to the running back becomes the quick answer against pressure. Against zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4, read whether the deep crosser can split the seam between the hook and deep third defenders before committing to the throw.
Usage Tips
Use this against man coverage looks since the crossing route creates natural separation off the pick from the shallow drag underneath it.
Check pre-snap for single high safety shells since the corner route to the backside can be effective if the corner is playing tight and outside leverage.
Hot route the flat route to a flat if you see a linebacker sitting at that depth, since it turns into a free access throw against blitzes.
Pair this with Slants or Curl Flat from the same set to keep the defense guessing between quick game and the deep crosser concept.
Best called on second and medium to second and long when you have time to let the deep crosser develop across the field.
Watch for a lurking linebacker or safety sitting in the middle of the field since that defender can undercut the crosser if you telegraph the throw.
