Coaches can learn a lot by studying NFL offenses and how they attack defenses. There are common threads all every level that high school coaches can pick up on and use.

One big commonality between the NFL and high school football is that quarters coverage is a favorite go-to run and pass stopper at both levels.

The spread offense has dictated that defenses get another defender or two closer to the box to stop the read option. NFL coaches also are looking for ways to cheat the box count when possible.

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The example below is a version of a shallow cross concept with a tight end basic cross triangle read. We like these types of pass plays as offensive coaches, because it’s all sitting right there in front of your quarterback with a simple X-Y-H read.

However, when the quarters safety starts sticking cheating down, the read can almost become non-existent. A simple solution is to always include a quarters-beater into the read. If the quarterback comes up and sees quarters coverage and the strong safety bites the basic cross, give the QB the green light to pull the trigger on the Z post.

This can lead to big gains that not only hurt the defense on that play but can affect how the defense plays the rest of the game. Even if the pass is incomplete, you are going to put doubt in the safety’s mind and maybe more importantly the defensive coordinator’s mind.

Here is how to coach it:

Formation: 2-by-2 out of the shotgun or pistol

Drop: 7-step drop timing

Suggested reads: Y-X-H with possible alert Z versus quarters

Coaching points

X: Shallow cross

• Best release and get horizontal off of the F’s stem
• Look for a rub versus man coverage
• As the X crosses the center, either stay on the move versus man coverage or sit down and show the QB numbers against zone in the tackle area

Y: Basic cross

• Outside release then push vertical
• Threaten vertically before breaking inside at 12 to 14 yards
• Against zone, find a window to work back to the QB
• Against man, stay on the move and win with speed

Z: Post

• Outside stem on the release and then get vertical
• At 12 yards, sell the corner route before breaking to the near upright
• Alert versus quarters coverage

F: Corner

• Best release
• Run to win versus man coverage
• Beat defender over the top

H: Sneak route

• Protection first
• Release through the strong side A or B gap
• Burst opposite looking for the football at 2 yards depth