DJ McCarthy, WR Coach, Florida Atlantic
Watch Coach McCarthy’s entire Glazier Drive Video (X Cross Against 1 High & 2 High Coverages)
This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog.
See why 33,000+ coaches from schools across the nation trust Glazier Drive to help their program succeed. Glazier Drive has 2,000+ Curated Videos from Top Coaches, 40 Complete Coaching Systems, and Exclusive Content from Top Coaches in the Industry.
Start your free trial by signing up here GlazierDrive.com
PLAY CONCEPT OVERVIEW This video breaks down a versatile offensive play designed to beat both one-high and two-high safety coverages. The X Cross concept features route combinations that exploit defensive weaknesses regardless of coverage shell. To the left/field side is the one-high beater (speed out and middle field read), while the right/boundary side features the two-high beater (option route and under route).
ROUTE STRUCTURE
- Field side (One-high beater): Speed out route (10-12 yards) and middle field read seam/post
- Boundary side (Two-high beater): 10-12 yard option route and 5-yard under route
- The middle field read adjusts based on coverage: goes straight down seam if middle field open, crosses face toward opposite hash if middle field closed
- Option route breaks in or out based on defender leverage
- Under route (X receiver) pushes up field 3-5 yards before bursting inside, can sit down in zone coverage
QUARTERBACK MECHANICS
- Field side (One-high): Three-step drop and throw with no hitch or hop
- Boundary side (Two-high): Three-step drop with a hitch
- Six-man protection scheme with back reading from Mike to Sam linebacker
COVERAGE ADJUSTMENTS
- Against press or cloud coverage, outside receiver can convert to go route
- Against man coverage (press or off), use the under route and option route as “runaway” routes
- Off-man or quarters coverage can be treated as one-high for exploiting the out route to the field
GAME FILM EXAMPLES Multiple examples show the play’s execution against various defenses:
- Successful completions to the field against off-man coverage
- Under route completions against two-high looks
- Scramble drill touchdown where the seam runner found open space
- Protection adjustments against strong pass rushers (referencing an Ohio State game)
PROTECTION CONSIDERATIONS
- Standard protection is six-man with back scanning Mike to Sam
- Can adjust protection with “flash” concept if defense consistently blitzes the back
- Coach emphasizes the need to account for elite pass rushers after struggling against Ohio State’s top defensive end
COACHING POINTS
- Speed cut mechanics for the out route: six-step with inside foot up, outside foot back
- Route depth discipline: Don’t exceed 12 yards on out routes to avoid large arcs defenders can break on
- Under route technique: Sit down when covered rather than running across entire field
- Receiver alignment: Field receivers split between hash and numbers, boundary receivers work top of numbers