Cross Levels

Description

Cross Levels is an easy to learn and read play that works well against deep coverage by throwing underneath or to quick routes to counter a blitz. Three of the five routes are crossing routes, allowing the quarterback to easily pick a hole in zone defenses to throw to or allowing the receivers to work together to confuse and run away from man coverage. Although it utilizes all five receivers in pass patterns Cross Levels is effective against blitzes (unless you get a bad snap) because three receivers can be thrown to immediately.

The best targets are the inside and middle flankers running in and out routes in the opposite directions. A blitz will leave at least one of these receivers open, while the routes pass underneath deep coverages. If the defense plays tight man or a short zone to take away underneath routes, the streak pattern and the deeper in pattern that crosses beneath it are good options. The tight end's quick corner route ensures that the defense has to cover the whole field, so with five options someone can almost always get open. Just in case no one does, the short out route can double as a fairly safe throwaway as long as you're not too far from the left sideline.

Player Assignments

See the Madden Playbook Guide for a description of these symbols.

Read Progression

1. TE slant corner
2. Inside flanker over middle
3. Middle flanker in left flats
4. Left flanker streak
5. Left SE in over middle

Analysis

Pros:

• Three quick reads will neutralize blitzes
• Can gain easy big yardage against prevent defenses by throwing underneath and getting blocks from down field receivers, especially on the left side
• Very easy play to learn and read

Cons:

• Typically gets short gains for a four WR formation
• Bad shotgun snaps will ruin timing for quick reads and lead to likely sack against any blitz
• Deep in route can be a dangerous throw