Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Se Cross is a play-action pass out of the Pistol Full House TE set that sells the run fake hard before working a crossing route concept designed to attack man and zone coverage underneath and intermediate. The play-action fake with 22 personnel and the extra bodies in the backfield holds linebackers and safeties for a beat, giving the crosser time to work across the field away from initial leverage. Primary read progression starts with the crossing route working from the strong side to the weak side, then the QB works to the flat or check-down option if the window is not there, with the deep shot available if the safety bites on the run fake.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth pre snap, if they are stacked tight to the line expecting run fits from the 22 personnel look, this play will gash them once the crosser clears their zone drop. Identify the safety shell before the snap, two deep safeties sitting back will squeeze the crossing route window and force the QB to check down, single high safety is more vulnerable to the play action hold. Post snap, key the flow of the linebackers, if they bite hard on the run fake and flow toward the play side, the crosser has a clean lane working opposite that flow. Look for a user spy or lurk defender sitting in the middle of the field, that player can undercut the crossing route if the QB tries to force it without patience. Cover 3 match and man coverage with inside help are the toughest shells against this concept since they can rob the crosser, while single high man coverage and aggressive run blitzes get exploited hardest by the play action fake.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs like 1st and 10 or 2nd and medium when defenses are still respecting the run out of 22 personnel and Full House TE looks.
Check the safety depth pre snap, if both safeties are sitting shallow expecting run support, the play action window opens up big for the crosser to work behind the linebackers.
Hot route the backside receiver into a quick option or slant if you see man coverage with no safety help over the top, this gives you an instant answer against Cover 1 or Cover 3 match.
Pair this with Mtn Power O and HB Dive earlier in a series so the defense keys run action, then hit them with PA Se Cross once linebackers start creeping up to fill the box.
Against aggressive user blitzers, get rid of the ball on time to the crosser since the play design does not hold up long if extra rushers get home, and consider sliding protection with a hot route if you expect a nano blitz look.
