Coach ,

Today we share three more concepts that are staples in the Air Raid can be and are utilized in any offensive system.

#4 Shallow Cross

Because almost any QB can complete it and almost any receiver can run it, the Shallow Cross is one of the best concepts in the passing game. It can work against most coverages and get a short throw to a player who can do something with the ball in space. 

Air Raid coaches love this as a complement to “6” because a defense trying to wall off a vertical allows for a dynamic shallow runner to have room for YAC.

The defense then has to react down to the shallow and opens the room for the dig behind for a nice chunk of yardage.

The Concept:

• Shallow runner underneath the LBs 
• Dig coming from the opposite side behind

Purpose:

This definitely is a tool to defeat man coverage. The shallow runs away from his defender thus making it a good man route. Technique must be used In order to create the separation. The concept can be utilized to create a high low in the interior of the defense with other opportunities available with how it is packaged with other routes.

Best Against:

This play is effective against both man and zone coverage. Versus man coverage, the ball will likely go to the shallow cross route who is running away from his defender. Versus zone coverage, the shallow is not as good of an option and the ball will likely go to either the dig or one of the complimentary routes built around the shallow-dig combo.

Versatility:

Like other Air Raid concepts, it has versatility.  You will see the dig-shallow combo as the core of many other routes combined with it.  Post-Wheel in a 3x1 is popular.  Again, the creativity of the coach in stressing a defense comes into play in maximizing this concept within an offense.

Degree of Difficulty to Install:

At many levels with the right match-up, the shallow almost becomes a guaranteed completion.  

Protecting it by practicing the read and reaction to the shallow being jumped is what will ultimately make this a play that can hurt a defense.  Dig routes are the most intercepted route in football so practicing the timing and windows is important.

Coach George Coltharp explains the Shallow Cross in this video:

#5 Y Cross

The Y Cross may be one of the more talked about routes recently.  Y-Cross forces defenders to pass off routes or run with the dynamic receivers. Part of the reason that Y-Cross is so successful is that it is able to attack all coverages. You won’t find many coaches who like to throw the ball that do not have some form of this in their offense.

The Concept:

Y-cross goes under Sam, over Mike and angles to a spot on the sideline 18-22 yards downfield. Like Sail, this can create a 3 level stretch with how other routes compliment it.

Purpose:

For Air Raid teams everything works in a progression as an answer. With Y Cross, when the linebackers run with shallows, a play where the Y is dragging deep over the middle of the field allows him to be passed off which begins to create the opportunity. The strong safety can be set up to defend a different area and vacate space for the deep drag.

Best Against:

Take your pick. It has elements that defeat zone or man. Again, it can be paired with other combos or single routes to create space for the throw.  Often you will see this as part of a flood concept with the deep drag replacing the sale.

Versatility:

As mentioned, it can be put within a number of frameworks designed to get the deep drag open.  It has application in drop back and play action and can be executed from a number of different sets.

Degree of Difficulty to Install:

Training the QB to see how and when it is open is key. The route can not be thrown too soon or it is in danger of being broken up or intercepted.  They key is understanding what you want to build around it to clear the picture for the quarterback.

Lincoln Riley’s offenses have been dicing up defenses with this over the last few seasons. Here he is explaining the basics of Y-Cross:

#6 “6” aka All Vertical

This route may be one of the most powerful in football as it can attack in a number of different ways when built the right way.

The Concept:

Four receivers spacing themselves at equal distance to horizontally and vertically stretch the defense.  Can be taught with reads and adjustments on each of the four landmarks to attack every coverage.

Purpose:

Stretch the defense horizontally and vertically and make them pay for packing the box.

Best Against:

Really good against anything but quarters, but with the right understanding and adjustments can be called against anything.  It comes down to execution. If a defense is in Cover 2 or 3, it means they will only have 2 or 3 defenders guarding 4 receivers deep. Therefore,  someone will be open. 

Versatility:

In general this works best from 4 receiver (or 5 receiver) formations, so if that is part of your offense then this is an option.  There is a way to get creative out of 2x1 and create different spacings, so understanding how those time up in attacking vertically is important.

Degree of Difficulty to Install:

On the surface this looks simple.  If designed to attack a single coverage like cover 3, it is simple.  It takes more time on task to teach the adjustments, reads, and timing to attack multiple coverage, but the time on task can have huge dividends. The vision, decision making and arm talent of the QB are a major factor in success.

Here’s Nevada’s OC, Coach Matt Mumme explaining “6”:

The Air Raid guys utilize all six concepts illustrated here within a system, understanding how all parts fit together to attack a defense. If this has piqued your interest and now you would like to take a deep dive, there’s no better place than the Godfather of the Air Raid Hal Mumme’s “Air Raid Certified.”

Even separately, these concepts on their own can get a lot of mileage for your offense.

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski