Playbooks
Quick Reference
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Breakdown
Shallow Cross Smash out of Wing Trips Wk Nasty pairs a smash concept on the trips side with a shallow crosser coming from the opposite end of the formation. To the trips side, the outside receiver runs a corner route stretching the sideline while the inside slot receiver runs a quick hitch underneath, forming the classic smash combo that stretches Cover 2 corners vertically and horizontally. On the backside, the tight end or wing runs a shallow crosser under the linebackers all the way across the field, giving the quarterback a fast underneath option against zone drops or a man beater versus trailing linebackers. This is a straightforward dropback passing concept with no play-action or RPO elements, and the primary read starts with the shallow crosser for an easy completion before working to the smash combo (hitch to corner) if the crosser is taken away.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a user controlled linebacker sitting in the shallow crosser's lane, this is the most common way defenders take away the primary read, if he sits do not force it and move to the smash combo instead. Cover 2 shells are vulnerable to the corner route sitting behind the flat defender and in front of the deep safety, look for the corner to jump the hitch route which opens the window over the top. Man coverage with no safety help over the top gets exposed by the shallow crosser's natural rub against trailing defenders, if you see man alignment pre-snap trust the shallow route to come open quickly. Cover 3 and other single high safety looks can take away the corner route since the deep third defender has time to react, expect the smash concept to be less effective and lean on the shallow crosser or check down instead. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge to the trips side can disrupt the timing of the corner route, get the ball out quickly on the shallow crosser or hot route protection if you see pre-snap blitz indicators.
Usage Tips
Check the corner and safety alignment before the snap, if the corner is sitting hard outside on the trips side that signals Cover 2 and the corner route on the smash side will have room to work behind him.
Use the shallow crosser as your first read on early downs, it is a built-in answer versus man coverage since it clears underneath linebackers and creates natural separation off the crossing action.
If the defense shows Cover 3 or a sky safety look, hot route the hitch into a slant or speed out to give yourself a quicker outlet instead of forcing the corner route into a deep defender.
Pair this play with Y Mtn Drive or Stick from the same set to keep the defense guessing between quick game and intermediate crossing concepts, this keeps linebackers from jumping the shallow route too aggressively.
Best called on second and medium to third and short since the shallow route gives a high floor completion while the smash side offers a shot play if the corner bites on the hitch.
