Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Cheat Slot Cross is a crosser-based man beater out of Shotgun Y Trips Wk with 11 personnel. Off the trips side, the deep receiver runs a deep dig that clears out and settles at the top of the route, while the middle slot man works underneath on a slot cross that drags all the way across the field, and the near trips receiver runs a shallow drag to the flat off the cross action. The backside X runs an isolated go route up the sideline as a one-on-one shot play, with the RB checking into a swing/flat route out of the backfield. Primary read progression starts with the shallow slot cross underneath as your first option against man coverage, then works to the deep dig sitting down over the middle, and finally to the backside go for the home run shot if the corner bites on run or play action.
Defensive Reads
Check safety alignment before the snap, two high shells signal that the backside go route will be contested and you should prioritize the underneath crossers. Watch for user controlled linebackers dropping into the shallow cross lane, if they sit and wait you need to hit the deep dig instead of forcing the drag. Man coverage with a single high safety is the green light to trust the slot cross since the crossing action creates natural separation against man defenders. Identify blitz packages pre-snap by counting box defenders, if the defense brings extra rushers the RB check release becomes critical to protect the timing of the dig and cross routes. Cover 3 zone drops can clog the middle read, so key on the flat defender and hook defender to find the window for the shallow drag or cross depending on which lurks underneath.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion on the slot cross receiver to identify man versus zone, if the defender follows across the formation you know you have a man beater lined up.
Attack this play on second and medium or third and short to medium since the slot cross settles in soft spots and the drag underneath gives an easy conversion throw.
Hot route the RB to a check release or extra block if you see a heavy blitz look, this protects the QB long enough for the dig and cross to develop.
Pair this call with Curls X Go or Fl Dig from the same set to keep the defense guessing between deep crossing patterns and quick out breaking routes.
Against zone shells, throw the slot cross into the void behind linebackers and in front of safeties rather than forcing the backside go route.
