Simplified Cross Over and Under

8/14/2019 Simplified Cross Over and Under

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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 backsiderules to not apply.

• Both names are used to give the coach ultimatecontrol of not only who runs what route but alsothe 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 toeither side depending on situation, coaches

preference, defense, etc.



X Over

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

X & H run the “over”

Z &Y run the “under”



Z Over

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

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 (#1Post, #2 Hi Mesh)

• F- Protect, Check release, Swing, or Shoot toeither side depending on situation, coaches

preference, defense, etc.



Z Under

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

X & H run the “over”

Z &Y run the “under”



X Under

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

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 heuses the “under” tag.



Deep to Short Progression: X Over

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

1

2

3 4



Short to Deep Progression: Z Under

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

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

2

1 3



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

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

QB looks for the big play



X Over- Second Look

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

The big play isn’t available so the QB’s eyes drop to the

Dig/In.



X Over- Third Look

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

The Post and the Dig are not open so the QB’s eyes drop to

the Mesh.




Short to Deep Read

“Under” Call



Z Under- First Look

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

QB is “alert” for the big play but knows

that the coach wants to work from short

to deep because of the “under” tag.



Z Under- Second Look

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

As the QB’s eyes drop from X, Z is

working under two potential rubs into the

QB’s vision.



Z Under- Third Look

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

Z isn’t available so the QB

lifts his eyes and has the

Dig/In moving into his vision.



Z Under- Fourth Look

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

As the QB finishes his progression his

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 todeep.”



X Over Follow

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

Z & Y now execute the “follow”

route.



Z Over Follow

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

X & H now execute the “follow”

route.




“Follow” Tag

Default Progression: Short to Deep Nothing changes for the QB except

the receivers on each route.



X Over Follow

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

QB is “alert” for the big play but knows

that the coach wants to work from short

to deep with the “follow” combination.



X Over Follow- Second Look

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

As the QB’s eyes drop from X, Y is

working under the defense into the QB’s

vision.



X Over Follow- Third Look

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

Y isn’t available so the QB

lifts his eyes and has the

Follow moving into his vision.



X Over Follow- Fourth Look

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

As the QB finishes his progression his

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

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

By rule, X now is on the high mesh.

TD?

1

2

3



Y Over Follow

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

By rule Z is now on the high mesh.

TD?

1

2

3



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

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

H & Z sell the mesh then

pivot back to the flat.

TD?

1

2

3

Nothing changes for the QB.



Z Over Pivot

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

TD?

2

13



X Over Follow Pivot

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

TD?

1

2

3

Again, nothing changes for

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

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z



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 shallowroute.



Z Over Follow With Check Release

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

TD?

2

13

Late



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 hisinitial field of vision.



Z Over Follow With F On A Wheel Route

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

TD?

2

13

TD?



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

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

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.



Squeeze X Under

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

The chance for an

initial rub is

increased.

Because of the

clustered formation,

the mesh happens

quicker.



Wide Squeeze

F

4 0

5 0

YH

X Z

This formation puts the slot

receivers outside of X and Z.



Wide Squeeze H Under

F

4 0

5 0

YH

XZ

Now H can work off

of another rub. Because of the

clustered formation,

the mesh happens

quicker.

Y is now on the Post.



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-uphe desires.



Getting H Under From the Backfield

F

4 0

5 0

Y

H

X

Z

Red Gun Z Over Follow

TD?

1

2

3

Again, nothing has to change for

the QB progression.



The Cross Concept From An Empty Set

X

H Y

Z

F

5 0

4 0

X Under Shoot TD?

Quick

1

2

3



The Cross Concept From An Empty Set

X

H Y

Z

F

5 0

4 0

X Under Wheel TD?

1

2

3

TD?



5 Wide Squeeze- H Under Wheel

X

HY

Z

F

5 0

4 0

TD?TD?

1

2

3

•F has two potential

rubs for the wheel

route.

•Y is now on the post.

•H has the benefit of

another rub.



Conclusion

• I hope that this helps in some way.

• If you have more questions feel free to

contact me.

• Tim Sparacino ([email protected])

Simplified Cross Over and Under

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