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 do 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

2
50

3 4

X Z

H Y

F
 Short to Deep Progression: Z Under
40

Look here first for TD only & to “move” the defense.

2
50

1 3

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

F
lifts his eyes and has the
Dig/In moving into his vision.
 Z Under- Fourth Look
40
50

X Z

H Y

As the QB finishes his progression his

F fourth option is moving toward the
sideline helping to reduce the threat of
an interception.
 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

F Z & Y now execute the “follow”

route.
 Z Over Follow
40
50

X Z

H Y

X & H now execute the “follow” F

route.
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

F
lifts his eyes and has the
Follow moving into his vision.
 X Over Follow- Fourth Look
40
50

X Z

H Y

As the QB finishes his progression his

F fourth option is moving toward the
sideline helping to reduce the threat of
an interception.
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

1 3

X Z

H Y

By rule, X now is on the high mesh. F

 Y Over Follow
40

TD?

2
50

3 1

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 F Nothing changes for the QB.
pivot back to the flat.
 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 F

the QB’s progression.

 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
Formation Variations
 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 Because of the
increased. clustered formation,
the mesh happens
50

quicker.

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
50

quicker.

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

H F
Again, nothing has to change for
the QB progression.
 The Cross Concept From An Empty Set
40

X Under Shoot TD?

2
50

3 1
X Z
Quick
H F Y
 The Cross Concept From An Empty Set
40

TD?
X Under Wheel TD?

2
50

3 1
X Z

H F Y
 5 Wide Squeeze- H Under Wheel
40

•F has two potential

rubs for the wheel TD?
route. TD?
•Y is now on the post.
2
•H has the benefit of
another rub.
50

3 1

X Z

H F Y
 Conclusion
• I hope that this helps in some way.

• If you have more questions feel free to

contact me.

• Tim Sparacino (sparrow@paris.k12.ar.us)