Description

DJ McCarthy, WR Coach, Florida Atlantic  

Watch Coach McCarthy's entire Glazier Drive Video (X Cross Against 1 High & 2 High Coverages) 

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

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