Shallow Cross out of Singleback Tight Doubles is a full progression passing concept built around a shallow crosser that clears the underneath middle of the field. The backside receiver runs the shallow drag all the way across, the frontside slot runs a quick out/flat breakout, the inside receiver on that side runs a corner route up the seam, and the outside receiver runs a deep post from the numbers. The HB releases out of the backfield on a wheel/flat route to the boundary, giving you a fifth option and a built-in check against blitzes. This is primarily a man beater since the shallow route and mesh traffic create natural rub separation, though the deep post and corner combo also stress single-high safety zone shells if the underneath defenders bite on the crosser.

Defensive Reads

Watch for user controlled linebackers sitting in the shallow window since a good defender can jump the crosser and take away your first read, forcing you to progress quickly to the flat or corner Identify press man corners pre snap because the shallow route and mesh point create natural separation against tight man coverage, making this an ideal call versus man heavy defenses Check safety depth and rotation post snap, if the deep safety bites down on the shallow crosser the post route behind him will be wide open for an explosive gain Cover 3 with a hard sink flat defender can take away the shallow drag and the HB flat combo, so be ready to work the corner route into the vacated intermediate zone Beware nano blitzes or five man pressure looks that overload the protection, since the HB wheel release is your built in answer but you must recognize the blitz pre snap to hot route into a check release in time

Usage Tips

Read the deep safety before the snap to determine if you are facing single high or two high, since the post route is your explosive shot against a two high shell that rotates late

Progress your eyes from the shallow crosser to the flat route and then up to the corner and post, working underneath to over the top so you never miss the easy completion if the deep stuff is covered

Hot route the HB wheel into a check release versus known blitz teams so you get an extra blocker and still have an outlet against pressure

Use this play on second and long or third and medium since the shallow cross gives you a built in checkdown that protects against negative plays while still hunting big yardage over the middle

Pair this with HB Dive or HB Inside Zone earlier in a series to get linebackers cheating up on run fits, then come back to Shallow Cross to gash them with the crosser and post combo working behind the sold run action

Shallow Cross

Quick Reference

In 7 playbooks

Receiver routes

Read progression

Breakdown

Defensive Reads

Usage Tips

Other Plays in Tight Doubles