Cross
Philosophy
This is our best play to beat a CB who over plays the Post route. Cross isolates the CB on Post and Corner routes. The Horizontal stretch on the CB make sit impossible for him to cover both routes.
Formation
Any formation is good but we prefer it out of 2x2 because it gives us a Hot route and a good outlet to Y.
Alignment
Y and Z align like Streak. H aligns inside the Hash and X aligns outside the numbers.
Pre-Snap Read
QB walks to the Ball and looks for potential 7 man Blitz. If QB sees blitz he has Y on the Streak route this will be his Hot. Once QB has determined there is no threat of 7 man blitz he looks to see if coverage is four across. Four across coverage can effectively take away the cross aspect of this play. QB will then go front side with the Out/Streak combo favoring the Out. If they are in any other type of coverage proceed with play.
Post-Snap Read
QB snaps the ball and proceeds on his five big steps and hitch drop. His first read is to see if Y will be open as he clears underneath coverage at about 7 yards. If this is the case QB will pull up at three steps and fire a bullet, chest high into the seam area, up the hash marks, behind underneath coverage and in front of the Secondary coverage. QB needs to make this throw every time he feels he can deal the ball effectively. Any doubt to making this throw or if he sees any defender in his path, QB should proceed with his five step drop. As QB finishes his drop he should find the FS and look him off to Y's Streak. QB then finds the CB that is covering X and decides if he is overplaying X's Post. If CB over plays X's post look him off to the Post and throw the Corner route to H in the area vacated by the CB. Throw the ball to H high and over the top of underneath coverage and over his outside shoulder. If CB is not over playing the Post throw the ball high and over the top of the CB and FS to the X's Post route. QB will hit X's Post at a spot about 30 Yards deep outside the Hash. Over throw X and make him go get it.
Pattern Adjustments
X Post route
Zone or Man X will put his head down and run to a spot 30 yards deep, 1yrd inside the Hash. X will not look back to QB until he has gotten by the CB and FS. X breaks his skinny Post route at 12 yards.
H Corner Route
Zone or Man H break a post at 10 yards and Corners at 12 yards going underneath X's Post. If CB stays home break Corner off to a 15 yard Out route. If CB vacates turn body around and look for the ball over your outside shoulder.
Y Out Route
Zone or Man coverage Y will Post at 12 Yards for two to three steps and comeback on a 14 yards Out route. Y will look CB deep as if he was running a deep Post. When CB turns his hips inside Y will plant and comeback down hill looking for the ball as he turns.
If QB has not thrown ball and gives you a pump fake turn up sideline. If QB gives you no Pump fake stay at home and wait for ball.
Z Streak route
Zone or Man push up field on a Streak route. As you clear underneath coverage idle down and look for ball quick if QB has not thrown ball by 10 yards get up field and draw FS to you with eye contact. Keep Streak route on Hash mark to keep Horizontal stretch on FS.
Defensive Problems
The only defensive problem is Quarter Coverage. Cover 4 can effectively stop this play. If we catch them in Quarters the only back side option is to throw to X on Post. If QB sees it early he can go front side with the Streak/Out combo.
Conclusion
Cross is a great play to beat an over aggressive CB. The versatility of this play also allows us to have a front side high percentage play and Hot read with a backside home run threat.