The Evolution of the Cross

Cross
• The first attempt at the “Cross” route was to
combine the NCAA and Mesh play into one
package that would be more flexible.
 Original Rules
• Tagged receiver ran the deep cross (Dig)
• Opposite WR ran a Post
• The other two receivers would “mesh”
(always right over left)
• Back- Protect or Shoot
 Original Cross Example- H Cross
40
50

X Z

H Y

F
 Original Progression
• Stolen from Norm Chow’s Mesh
progression.
• Peek at the Post, watch the Mesh, Back
• Since we have added a Dig route, the
progression becomes Peek at the Post,
Check the Dig, watch the Mesh, Back
 Original Cross Progression
40

TD?

1
50

2&3
X Z

H Y
4
F
 Evolution to the Post/Double-
Under
• In order to use this concept from multiple
formations the rules changed to:
• Tagged receiver will go “under” another
tagged receiver
• The next inside receiver has the Dig
• The 4th receiver runs the post
• Back- Protect, Shoot or Swing (your
preference)
 Post/Double-Under
• These rules allow the concept to be
executed from 3 X 1 formations
• They also allow you to send any receiver
“under” the rub regardless of what side they
line up on.
 Post/Double-Under from 2 x 2 (528 X Under Y)
40

500= 5-Man
Protection
2 = F’s route
8= Post/Double Under
Concept
50

X Z

H Y

F
 Post/Double-Under Progression
• Can remain the same (Deep to short)

• I have found that others like to peek at the

post for a TD, then work from the tagged
under to the Dig
 528 X Under Y (Deep to Short Progression)
40

500= 5-Man TD?

Protection
2 = F’s route
8= Post/Double Under 2
Concept
50

4 3
X Z

H Y Quick/Late
F
 “Under Progression” (528)
40

500= 5-Man
Protection Quick Look
2 = F’s route
8= Post/Double Under
Concept 2
50

3 1

X Z

H Y Quick/Late
F
Formation Variations
 Early Rip 68 H Under X
40

Early Rip- H aligns right (3 X 1)

60= protection
8= Post/Double-Under
50

X Z

Y H

F
 Wide 68 H Under Z
40

This variation allows you to

get the rub for H, send X on
the Dig, and/or hit Y on the
Post
50

X Z

Y
H

F
 Wide Squeeze 168 Y Under X
40
50

X Z

H Y

F
 Early Rip 68 Z Under Y
40
50

X Z

Y H

F
 Empty Adjustment
• If you want to run this concept from an
empty set you would need a rule for “F.”
• Always shoot?
 5-Wide 58 H Under Z
40

If F always shoots you could

continue to use the route from
any set as usual.
50

X Z

Y
H F
 Empty Adjustment
• You could get F involved in the double-
under if you use the all-go route (9).
 Early Ram 59 F Under H
40
50

X Z

H Y F
 Tagging the Post
• If you wanted to use this concept with 3 x 2
sets and use the 9 route as the base, you
could always simply tag the post pattern.

• Note: The play call could get wordy.

 Early Ram 59 F Under H X Post
40
50

X Z

H Y F
 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)