The Pistol Trips – Inside Cross is designed to get one of the two receivers that are crossing each other open against underneath zone coverage such as Cover 3. It also can be used to attack man coverage as the two receiver’s running crossing routes will create a natural pick that generally allows at least one of the receivers to gain separation from defender who is covering him.
Playbooks Found In:
- Chiefs
- Seahawks
Coaching Points When Attacking Different Pass Coverages
Cover 0: Look to throw to either inside slot (B) or tight end (A) who run crossing routes. If there is time, look to throw deep to the outside (X) on the deep post.
Cover 1: Look to throw to either inside slot (B) or tight end (A) who run crossing routes. The middle slot receiver (Y) is an option to throw to on the dig route as the outside receiver’s deep post will force the deep safety playing the middle to drop deeper.
Cover 2 Man: Look to throw to either inside slot (B) or tight end (A) who run crossing routes. Much like Cover 1, the middle slot receiver (Y) is an option to throw to on the dig route as he comes across the middle.
Cover 2 Zone: This type of coverage takes away the underneath crossing routes, so look to attack deep. The outside receiver’s (X) deep post is a good option to throw to, but the quarterback will need time in the pocket. The middle slot receiver (Y) is an option to throw to on the dig route as he comes across the middle, just watch for a linebacker dropping back in a hook zone in his area.
Cover 3: One of the underneath receiver’s (B,A) will be open as they come across the short middle of the field. Keep in mind if the ball is thrown to one of them, may not be pick up a lot of yardage once the catch is made. The middle slot receiver (Y) is also an option, but his pass route takes time to develop.
Cover 4: With only one defender playing a hook zone underneath, this is a great play to attack that type of coverage as one of the underneath receiver’s will be open. Once the catch is made, there should be some room to pickup extra pass yardage. The runningback is also an option as he runs his delayed curl route out of the backfield.
Cover 6: Look to throw underneath, just don’t expect to pick up a lot of yardage. The middle slot receiver (Y) is also an option, but his pass route takes time to develop.
