Shallow Cross (5v5 flag football play)
X runs a 2-yard shallow cross to the right while Y runs a 9-yard dig above it in the same direction, putting a high-low on the middle defender. Z runs deep on the right to clear that side, and C sits at 5 yards on the left as the safe check-down.
New to these terms? Drag · Spread · Dig · Levels · Linebacker · Go · Check-down · Man-to-man · full glossary
When to call Shallow Cross
Call it against man coverage when defenders are trailing your receivers, or against a single short middle defender who can only cover one level. The quick shallow also makes it a good short-yardage call.
Who gets the ball
- X on the 2-yard shallow cross (marker 1). Throw as X clears the middle if their defender is trailing or the middle defender stays deep.
- Y on the 9-yard dig breaking right above X (marker 2) if the middle defender jumps down on X.
- C sitting at 5 yards on the left (marker 3) if both crossers are covered.
Coaching points
- X stays at 2 yards and Y breaks in at 9 yards, both heading to the right side. Mark both depths with cones so the receivers learn the two levels.
- The QB watches the middle defender: if that defender comes up on X, throw the dig to Y; if they stay back, throw the shallow to X.
- Receivers get open by speed and spacing only. They never steer into a defender or slow down to get in a defender's way; that is a pick and is not allowed.
- Z runs full speed straight up the right side to 14 yards to pull their defender away from where X and Y finish.
- C releases to the left, settles at 5 yards facing the QB, and stays out of the crossing lanes.
Common mistakes
- Y rounds the dig and drifts down toward X, so one defender can cover both. Fix: Y plants hard at 9 yards and runs flat across, keeping the 7-yard gap over X.
- The QB throws behind the crosser. Fix: aim at the receiver's front shoulder so the ball meets them in stride.
- Z jogs or stops early, leaving a defender sitting in the right side where the crossers end. Fix: Z runs full speed all the way to 14 yards on every snap.
What to call next
When the defense sits a defender on the shallow and another on the dig, call Smash to attack the outside with a quick hitch and a corner route over it. If they start jumping the shallow, have X fake the cross for three steps and turn upfield.
Drills that teach Shallow Cross
Run these in the practice before you install it, so the kids already own the pieces.
- Route Tree on Cones (9 min): Three lines of receivers run three basic routes off cones: a slant, an out and a curl.
- Over-the-Shoulder Catch Drill (8 min): Receivers track a reachable pass over the outside shoulder while keeping a clear downfield running lane.
- Two-Line Passing Warm-Up (7 min): Two lines face each other and throw across, and every passer follows the throw to the back of the other line.
Practice gear: league-compatible Flag belts and the league's specified youth size football. Optional wristband cards help players find a numbered call. These are Amazon search links; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.