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Simplified Cross. Tim Sparacino January 2008. Cross Rules. The Cross concept locks receivers into an “over” or “under” combination. Since this is a “full-field” route, normal backside rules to not apply.
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Simplified Cross Tim Sparacino January 2008
Cross Rules • The Cross concept locks receivers into an “over” or “under” combination. • Since this is a “full-field” route, normal backside rules to not apply. • Both names are used to give the coach ultimate control of not only who runs what route but also the QB progression.
Cross Rules- Over • One of the receivers is tagged to go “over”- Post • The other receiver on that side also goes “over” by running the “high mesh” • The backside runs an “under” • Under = #1 Shallow (low mesh), #2 Dig/In • F- Protect, Check release, Swing, or Shoot to either side depending on situation, coaches preference, defense, etc.
X Over 40 50 X Z H Y X & H run the “over” F Z &Y run the “under”
Z Over 40 50 X Z H Y F X & H run the “under.” Z & Y run the “over.”
Cross Rules- Under • One of the receivers is tagged to go “under” (shallow cross). • The other receiver on that side runs a Dig/In or Follow depending on alignment. • The opposite side runs a base “over” route (#1 Post, #2 Hi Mesh) • F- Protect, Check release, Swing, or Shoot to either side depending on situation, coaches preference, defense, etc.
Z Under 40 50 X Z H Y X & H run the “over” F Z &Y run the “under”
X Under 40 50 X Z H Y F X & H run the “under.” Z & Y run the “over.”
QB Progression • A coach can dictate the progression from deep to short or short to deep according to which combination he uses. • If he wants a deep to short progression he uses the “over” tag. • If he wants a short to deep progression he uses the “under” tag.
Deep to Short Progression: X Over 40 1 2 50 4 3 X Z H Y F
Short to Deep Progression: Z Under 40 Look here first for TD only & to “move” the defense. 2 50 3 1 X Z H Y F
QB Progression Specifics Deep to Short Read “Over” Call
Over Progression • This read is basically the Norm Chow mesh read with the addition of a Dig/In route. • Chow’s read has been described as “peek at the post, watch the mesh occur…” • This read is “peek at the post, check the dig, watch the mesh…”
X Over- First Look 40 QB looks for the big play 50 X Z H Y F
X Over- Second Look 40 The big play isn’t available so the QB’s eyes drop to the Dig/In. 50 X Z H Y F
X Over- Third Look 40 The Post and the Dig are not open so the QB’s eyes drop to the Mesh. 50 X Z H Y F
QB Progression Specifics Short to Deep Read “Under” Call
Z Under- First Look 40 QB is “alert” for the big play but knows that the coach wants to work from short to deep because of the “under” tag. 50 X Z H Y F
Z Under- Second Look 40 As the QB’s eyes drop from X, Z is working under two potential rubs into the QB’s vision. 50 X Z H Y F
Z Under- Third Look 40 50 X Z H Y Z isn’t available so the QB lifts his eyes and has the Dig/In moving into his vision. F
Z Under- Fourth Look 40 50 X Z H Y As the QB finishes his progression his fourth option is moving toward the sideline helping to reduce the threat of an interception. F
Tagging the “Follow” Backside • The backside combination can simply be changed to a “follow” route. • This gives you #2 on the low mesh and #1 on the Dig/In. • Whenever a backside route is tagged the default progression becomes “short to deep.”
X Over Follow 40 50 X Z H Y Z & Y now execute the “follow” route. F
Z Over Follow 40 50 X Z H Y X & H now execute the “follow” route. F
QB Progression Specifics “Follow” Tag Default Progression: Short to Deep Nothing changes for the QB except the receivers on each route.
X Over Follow 40 QB is “alert” for the big play but knows that the coach wants to work from short to deep with the “follow” combination. 50 X Z H Y F
X Over Follow- Second Look 40 As the QB’s eyes drop from X, Y is working under the defense into the QB’s vision. 50 X Z H Y F
X Over Follow- Third Look 40 50 X Z H Y Y isn’t available so the QB lifts his eyes and has the Follow moving into his vision. F
X Over Follow- Fourth Look 40 50 X Z H Y As the QB finishes his progression his fourth option is moving toward the sideline helping to reduce the threat of an interception. F
Sending Other Receivers To The Post • By tagging #2 with the “over,” a coach has simply changed which receiver goes to the post.
H Over Follow 40 TD? 2 50 3 1 X Z H Y By rule, X now is on the high mesh. F
Y Over Follow 40 TD? 2 50 1 3 X Z H Y F By rule Z is now on the high mesh.
Adding the Pivot Tag • “Pivot” tells the receivers that would normally be on the shallow cross to sell the drag route then pivot back to the flat. • Again, nothing changes for the QB except who is on each route.
X Over Pivot 40 TD? 2 50 3 1 X Z H Y H & Z sell the mesh then pivot back to the flat. Nothing changes for the QB. F
Z Over Pivot 40 TD? 2 50 3 1 X Z H Y F
X Over Follow Pivot 40 TD? 2 50 1 3 X Z H Y Again, nothing changes for the QB’s progression. F
Releasing F • A coach can release F toward the Post pattern to give the QB a quick option vs. pressure and/or help clear out the area for the low mesh.
Z Over Follow With Free Release 40 50 X Z H Y F
Releasing F Backside • Check releasing F to the backside would give the QB another safe option late in the progression. • F does not cross the line of scrimmage so that he does not interfere with the shallow route.
Z Over Follow With Check Release 40 TD? 2 50 3 1 X Z H Y Late F
Releasing F For The Big Play • The coach can take a shot at the big play with F without major adjustments to the QB progression. • By sending F on a wheel route, the coach as given the QB another big play option in his initial field of vision.
Z Over Follow With F On A Wheel Route 40 TD? TD? 2 50 3 1 X Z H Y F
Clustered Formations • The immediate advantage of clustered formations is that you accentuate the potential for natural rubs to occur. • The “mesh” happens quicker. • You may also force the defense into a coverage or match-up that you want.
The “Squeeze” Formation 40 Nothing has changed for the receivers or the QB but the compressed formation helps you dictate coverage, speeds up the “mesh,” and/or increases the potential for natural rubs to occur. 50 X Z H Y F
Squeeze X Under 40 The chance for an initial rub is increased. Because of the clustered formation, the mesh happens quicker. 50 X Z H Y F
Wide Squeeze 40 This formation puts the slot receivers outside of X and Z. 50 X Z H Y F
Wide Squeeze H Under 40 Y is now on the Post. Now H can work off of another rub. Because of the clustered formation, the mesh happens quicker. 50 X Z Y H F
Other Formation Variations • Because of the multiplicity of this concept, a coach can use a variety of formations to create advantages and dictate the match-up he desires.
Getting H Under From the Backfield 40 Red Gun Z Over Follow TD? 2 50 3 1 X Y Z H F Again, nothing has to change for the QB progression.