Playbooks
Breakdown
PA Scissors runs a play-action fake out of I Form Slot Open to hold the linebackers before attacking the seams with a crossing route combo. The two inside receivers run a scissors concept, one sitting deep and out toward the corner while the other clears underneath toward the opposite flat, and the outside receiver on the play side runs a deep corner route off the fake. The fullback releases on a shallow drag to the flat as a checkdown or dump option once the play-action fake sells. This is a play-action, Cover 2 and Cover 4 beater designed to punish safeties who bite on the run fake, with the primary read progression starting on the deep corner route, working to the crossing scissors routes underneath, and checking down to the fullback in the flat if everything is covered.
Defensive Reads
Key the safeties pre-snap, if they are aligned deep and split evenly in a two-high look, expect them to bite on the play-action which opens the corner route behind them. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they step up hard on the run fake, the underlying crossing routes will have room to work before the second level defenders can recover. User a rangy safety or the deep half defender to sit on the corner route since that is the first read and the most dangerous throw against Cover 2 or Cover 4. Bring a linebacker spy or hot blitz off the edge to disrupt the play-action timing since a fast interior pressure can force the quarterback to throw off platform before routes develop. If the defense shows man coverage with no safety help over the top, jump the crossing routes early since the scissors concept naturally creates a pick or rub against tight man coverage.
Usage Tips
Sell the play-action fake with a full commitment on the fake handoff so the linebackers step up and open passing lanes over the middle.
Look for two high safeties pre-snap since this play is built to punish Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells that rely on safeties reading run first.
If the corner sits on a flat defender in man coverage, hot route him vertical or use the crossing route to create natural rub separation against man coverage.
Use this on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage where defenses are more likely to load the box or play two-high shells expecting run support.
Pair this with HB Draw or HB Iso from the same set to keep defenses honest on the run fake, then dial up PA Scissors once linebackers start creeping up on early down runs.
