Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Z-Close Cross out of Singleback Doubles shows two vertical releases from the left side (a corner/go route from the outside receiver and a deep post-corner from the slot) stretching the defense downfield, while the closed side receiver runs a shallow crosser that works underneath from right to left across the field. The TE or attached receiver on the right side releases on a quick out/flat route to hold the flat defender and clear space for the crosser. This is a man beater at its core: the crosser creates natural separation against man coverage by running defenders into traffic, while the two vertical routes on the left occupy the deep defenders. The primary read progression starts with the crosser working from right to left, then progresses to the flat route if the crosser is taken away, with the two go routes on the backside as a shot alert if the corner or safety bites on the underneath action.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing two deep safeties, which suggests Cover 2 or Cover 4 and can bracket both the crosser and the go routes on the left. Watch the flat defender on the closed side, if he sits and does not widen with the out route, the crosser will have a tighter window underneath him. Post-snap, key the middle linebacker's drop, if he sinks with the crosser instead of widening to the flat, look immediately to the flat route for a checkdown or easy completion. This play struggles against Cover 3 sink concepts where the underneath defenders wall off the crosser and the deep third defenders sit on the vertical routes. User-controlled defenders sitting in a lurk position over the middle can jump the crosser route, so if you see a defender shading toward the crosser pre-snap, consider audibling to the vertical routes on the left instead.
Usage Tips
Use this play on second or third and medium when defenses are more likely to sit in man coverage or Cover 3 with tight underneath drops.
Pre-snap, check for a single high safety look since that usually signals man coverage or Cover 3, both of which the shallow crosser exploits well.
Hot route the flat route to a wheel or streak if you see a defense showing Cover 2 with soft corners, since the crosser alone may not separate against a flat zone sitting underneath.
Pair this play with Flanker Drag or Y Shallow Cross in your play calling sequence so the defense cannot key on the crosser tendency and starts biting on run fits or shallow drags instead.
Against aggressive user blitzers, throw the crosser in rhythm on a quick three step timing throw to beat the pressure before it arrives.
