Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Cross out of the I Form Hulk set opens with a play-action fake to sell the run threat before the QB works to a three-level pass concept. The backside receiver runs a deep crosser that stretches across the field, the inline tight end or slot works an intermediate out breaking route away from the fake, and the outlet man in the backfield checks down to a flat route underneath. This is a play-action man beater built off crossing traffic, and the primary read progression starts with the deep crosser looking for a natural pick against man defenders, moves to the intermediate out route, and settles on the flat route as the checkdown against a hard closing defense.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they crash hard on the play fake the crosser and flat route will have soft zones to work into Identify man coverage by checking if corners align tight to receivers with no help over the top, since the crossing route is designed to shake man defenders through traffic Against zone shells, key the flat defender and curl-to-flat defender because they can undercut the flat route and jump the crosser if they read the QB's eyes User lurk defenders sitting in the middle of the field are the biggest threat to this concept, so avoid staring down the crosser and manipulate the user with pump fakes or eye discipline Cover 3 with an aggressive robber can shut this play down by taking away the intermediate window, so be ready to check down to the flat route immediately if you see that shell rotate post-snap
Usage Tips
Sell the play fake with a run-heavy tendency earlier in the drive so linebackers bite on the play-action and open passing lanes for the crosser
Check safety depth pre-snap because two deep shells with soft corners tell you to prioritize the crosser hunting for natural picks against man coverage
Use hot routes to convert the flat route into a quick out if you see the defense loading the box to stop the fake, giving you a safety valve versus blitz looks
This play fits best on early downs (first and ten, second and short) when defenses respect the run threat from I Form personnel
Pair PA Cross with HB Dive and HB Power O earlier in a series so linebackers key run fits, then hit PA Cross once you have established tendency data against that opponent
