Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Scissors is a play-action pass out of Shotgun Box HB Strong with 11 personnel that sells the run fake to the strong side before the QB works the scissors concept on the right. The two receivers on that side cross their vertical stems, one breaking outside deep while the other cuts underneath toward the corner, creating natural rub separation against man coverage and confusing zone defenders keying on the play-action. On the backside, the receiver runs a deep comeback while the two remaining routes work short crossers underneath as checkdown and drag options. The primary read progression starts with the scissors combo (deep out first, then the crossing under route), then works back to the backside comeback if the safety shell rotates hard to the play-action side.
Defensive Reads
Watch the deep safety rotation immediately after the snap. If both safeties bail to the scissors side, the backside comeback route is wide open against the vacated space. Key the flow of the linebackers on the play fake. If they bite hard on the run action, the underneath crosser on the scissors side will have a soft spot to sit in against man coverage. Identify user-controlled defenders lurking near the crossing routes, since a smart user player can jump the underneath route and bait the QB into a turnover if the picture looks too easy. This concept struggles against Cover 3 with disciplined deep thirds, since the corner route into the scissors has to fit a tight window between the deep defender and the underneath zone defender. Blitz-heavy fronts with a spy or extra rusher can disrupt the play-action fake and collapse the pocket before the deep routes fully develop, so watch for edge pressure showing pre-snap.
Usage Tips
Use PA Scissors on early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and short) when the defense is respecting the run from Box HB Strong personnel, since the play fake needs linebackers stepping up to sell the deep shots. Check the safety alignment pre-snap. Two high safeties invite the scissors combo since the crossing routes create natural picks against Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells. Hot route the backside crosser into a deeper dig if you see Cover 3 with a deep middle defender sitting in the throwing lane. Pair this play with Inside Zone and HB Draw earlier in a series to get linebackers flowing downhill, then hit PA Scissors once you have established the run threat and defenders start cheating on run fits. If the defense shows heavy blitz looks pre-snap, consider Mesh Rail or Sit Z Drag instead since the play-action drop takes longer to develop and is vulnerable to quick pressure.
