Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Shallow Cross out of Singleback Tight Y Off Flex 11 personnel sends both outside receivers vertical on go routes to stretch the deep coverage while the slot runs a quick corner breaking route to occupy underneath defenders. The Y (tight end) runs the namesake shallow cross all the way across the formation underneath the linebackers, and the HB releases to the flat opposite the shallow for a checkdown or man beater against blitzing backers. This is a classic man beater built on the shallow drag pulling defenders horizontally while the vertical routes hold the safeties, and the primary read progression starts with the shallow crosser, works to the HB flat route, and finishes with the two go routes if a coverage bust opens the deep shot.
Defensive Reads
Watch for two deep safeties presnap which signals Cover 2 or Cover 4, these shells put a flat or hook defender in position to jump the shallow cross route and cut off the primary read. Man coverage with corners in press alignment on the outside receivers is where this play thrives, the shallow cross picks natural traffic in the middle of the field and beats trailing defenders in Cover 1 or Cover 0. Key the middle linebacker depth at the snap, if he sits shallow and reads the quarterback's eyes he can undercut the crosser for a jump ball interception so look to layer the throw with touch. Nickel and dime packages with extra defensive backs can clog the shallow route's passing lane since more bodies are underneath, expect a lurking defender if the offense has shown this concept previously in the drive. Zone blitz packages that drop a defensive lineman into the shallow crosser's lane will disrupt the first read, keep an eye on presnap alignment for wide defensive end or tackle shifts that hint at a zone drop disguise.
Usage Tips
Presnap identify if the defense is showing man or zone by checking corner depth on the two outside receivers running the go routes, tight press man usually signals blitz or man coverage that the shallow cross exploits. Use the shallow cross as your first read against Cover 1 and Cover 3 since the crosser picks up natural rub help and creates YAC opportunities versus trailing linebackers. If you see a hard blitz look with linebackers crashing downhill, hot route the HB flat route into a quick out or check him down immediately since he becomes your outlet against pressure. Pair this play with PA Y Middle Screen or Under Z Curl in the same set to keep defenders guessing between shallow crossing action and screen or curl concepts, this disguises tendencies and forces linebackers to hesitate. Best used on second and medium or third and short since the shallow route gets vertical separation quickly and the underneath completion is high percentage, avoid calling it into heavy Cover 2 shells where the flat defender can sit on the shallow.
