---
title: "Shallow Cross (Drag Route) Explained"
description: "The shallow cross, or drag, runs across the field at about 5 yards. How it is run, how it sits down against zone and why it is central to Drive and Mesh."
url: https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/routes/shallow/
---

route

# Shallow Route

A shallow route, also called a shallow cross or drag, runs across the formation at about 5 yards in Crucible's diagram. It is the underneath route in both Drive and Mesh.

![Shallow route diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/routes/shallow.webp)

## How the Shallow Is Run

The receiver releases inside and crosses just past the line of scrimmage, under the linebackers. Against zone, the receiver sits in the first open hole facing you; against man, the route stays on the move.

## What It Beats

- Man coverage, where defenders chasing across the field get caught in traffic.
- Blitzes that vacate the short middle.
- Underneath linebackers, when paired with a deeper in-breaker behind them.

## Common Questions

### What is a shallow route in football?

A shallow route, also called a shallow cross or drag, runs across the formation at about 5 yards in Crucible's diagram.

## Concepts Built With the Shallow

-

![Drive diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/concepts/drive.thumb.webp)

Drive Angle / Basic / Shallow
-

![Mesh diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/concepts/mesh.thumb.webp)

Mesh Shallow / Rail / Cross / In

## Related passing concepts

-

Drive Angle / Basic / Shallow
-

Mesh Shallow / Rail / Cross / In

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