Playbooks

Orbit PA TE Cross

Pistol·Wing Slot·12

Quick Reference

FormationPistol

In 7 playbooks

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Breakdown

Orbit PA TE Cross is a play-action shot play out of the Pistol Wing Slot formation using 12 personnel. The orbit motion back sells the run fake before releasing, while the tight end runs a deep crossing route designed to sit down in the soft spot of zone coverage or separate from man defenders working through traffic. This is primarily a zone beater against split safety shells, with the primary read starting on the crossing TE, working to any secondary outlet running underneath as the play-action boot develops.

Defensive Reads

Watch the linebacker level immediately after the run fake, since if they step up hard on the play-action the TE cross has an easy throwing lane behind them. Identify single high safety shells such as Cover 1 or Cover 3 pre-snap, since a rangy user controlled free safety can sit on the crossing route and undercut the throw. Key on the flow of the strong side linebacker during the orbit motion, because if he chases the motion man out of the box you gain a numbers advantage on the cross. Man coverage with underneath lurk defenders spying the quarterback can bait a costly interception if the TE cross is thrown into a crowded window. Heavy blitz packages that bring five or six rushers can disrupt the timing of the play-action fake, so have a quick hot route answer ready against aggressive nano blitz looks.

Usage Tips

Use the orbit motion pre-snap to bait linebackers and identify if the defense is playing man or zone based on how they react to the motion man.

Look for two high safety shells before the snap since the TE cross has room to work into the middle void against Cover 2 or Cover 4 zone drops.

Hot route the backside receiver into a shallow drag or spot route to give yourself a quick answer if the defense brings pressure off the edge and collapses the play-action pocket.

Best called on second and medium or third and short situations where linebackers are more likely to bite on the run fake and vacate the middle of the field.

Pair this with Orbit PA Boot Lt and Orbit RPO Read TE Slide from the same set so the defense cannot key on the orbit motion, since all three plays start with an identical presnap look but attack different areas of the field.

Other Plays in Wing Slot