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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
Jets Crosses is a trips-based passing concept out of Shotgun Y Off Trips Close with 11 personnel. From the trips side, the two inside receivers run crossing routes underneath (one shallow cross to the opposite flat, one deep dig/cross), while the outside trips receiver clears out vertically before breaking outside. On the backside, the isolated X runs a deep vertical route to stretch the defense, and the RB releases out of the backfield on a wheel/flat route for a check-down or man beater versus linebackers. This is a man beater concept built on natural traffic from the crossing routes, with a primary read progression that starts with the deep backside vertical, works to the crossing routes over the middle, and checks down to the RB on the wheel route if everything else is covered.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a single high safety pre-snap, which tells you the backside vertical route has a strong chance to win over the top. Key the underneath linebackers post-snap, since zone defenses with active Mike or Sam linebackers can sit in the crossing lanes and jump the shallow routes. Man coverage with press corners on the trips side is where this play thrives, since the natural rub from the crossers creates instant separation problems for man defenders. Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with two deep safeties can shut down the backside vertical, so be ready to reset your progression to the crossers if you see two safeties split pre-snap. If the defense shows a nano blitz or overload pressure look, get the ball out quickly to the RB wheel or flat route since the crossers take time to develop and won't be there against fast pressure.
Usage Tips
Use this play on second or third and medium when you have time to let the crossers develop and read through your progression.
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing man coverage with tight corners on the trips side, since the natural pick from the crossers creates easy separation.
If you see a single high safety, prioritize the backside vertical route immediately since you likely have a one on one matchup with no help over the top.
Hot route the RB into a quick flat or check release versus known blitz teams so you have an outlet if the crossers get jumped by underneath zone defenders.
Pair this play with Pats Cross or Mesh Y Out in your call sheet to keep defenses guessing between different crossing route depths and timing, forcing linebackers to respect multiple levels of traffic.
