Playbooks

PA Slot Cross

Pistol·Wing Slot·12

Quick Reference

FormationPistol

In 4 playbooks

Cardinals OffenseOffensePackers OffenseOffenseNFL Live Cardinals OffenseOffenseNFL Live Packers OffenseOffense

Breakdown

PA Slot Cross is a play-action shot play out of Pistol Wing Slot with 12 personnel that uses the run fake to freeze linebackers before working a crossing route concept over the middle. The design pairs a deep crosser with an underneath drag or corner breaking route from the slot, giving you a natural high low read on man coverage while the play fake occupies second level defenders long enough to open throwing lanes. This is primarily a man beater thanks to the natural rub created by the crossing routes, though it can pick up chunk yardage against zone if linebackers bite hard on the fake and vacate the middle of the field. Your primary read progression starts with the deep cross, then works down to the underneath crosser or check option if the top route is blanketed.

Defensive Reads

Watch for Cover 3 or Cover 1 shells before the snap since the crossing routes exploit the seams and rub zones defenders trying to trail man assignments across the field. Post snap, identify whether the strong safety or a robber defender is sitting in the middle of the field. A lurking defender in that throwing lane can jump the deep cross and turn it into a turnover. Key the linebackers immediately after the snap. If they step up hard on the run fake, the crossing routes will have wide open grass behind them, but if they sit and read, the window shrinks fast. Cover 2 with sound linebacker drops can shut this down since the underneath zone defenders can sit in the crossing lanes and clog the mesh point. Beware of blitz packages that bring extra rushers through the play side gap since the play fake eats up time and the quarterback can get hit before completing his drop if protection breaks down.

Usage Tips

Check the linebacker depth before the snap. If they are sitting shallow or creeping toward the line, that is a strong signal they will bite on the play fake and vacate the crossing lanes.

Look for man coverage indicators like corners lined up tight with inside or outside leverage. The natural pick created by the crossing routes gives you separation against man defenders trying to trail across the field.

Use hot routes to adjust the underneath route into a hot read if you diagnose a blitz look, especially against defenses that bring pressure off the edge on early downs.

This play works best on second and medium or third and medium situations where the play fake still carries threat value and defenses have not fully committed to pass rush downs.

Sequence this off HB Slam or HB Dive from the same set earlier in the game so the defense respects the run fake, then come back to PA Slot Cross to cash in on linebackers biting on the mesh point.

Other Plays in Wing Slot