Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 17 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Cross runs off a play-action fake out of Shotgun Bunch Str Nasty, holding linebackers with the run fake before the quarterback works the pass concept. From the bunch alignment, the outside receiver runs a deep vertical to stretch the safety, the middle bunch receiver breaks on a deep crossing route underneath the vertical, and the inside receiver runs a shallow drag under the crosser to the opposite flat. The tight end or attached receiver on the line releases into a short flat/curl route as the checkdown after the boot action. This is a man beater at its core because the crosser and shallow drag create natural picks and separation against man coverage, though the deep vertical also punishes single-high zone shells if the safety bites on the play fake. Primary progression starts with the deep crosser working across the middle, then works down to the shallow drag if the crosser is covered, and finally checks down to the flat route if both are taken away.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing two deep safeties or a single-high shell, since single-high is far more vulnerable to the vertical and crosser combo. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they step up hard on the run fake, the crosser and drag routes will have wide open throwing lanes underneath. Post-snap, key any user-controlled defender flowing toward the crosser's path, a lurking linebacker or safety sitting in the middle of the field can jump the route and bait an interception. Against zone coverage such as Cover 3, look for the flat defender's positioning, if he widens with the flat route it opens a throwing window for the shallow drag behind him. Blitz-heavy defenses with a nano blitz package can disrupt this play quickly since the play action hold delays the quarterback's release, so be ready to check into a quick throw or bail on the fake if pressure shows early.
Usage Tips
Look for single-high safety looks pre-snap since the play action freeze combined with the vertical stretch is most effective when there is only one deep defender to hold. Use play action rollout timing to your advantage, letting the fake fully develop before resetting your eyes downfield to the crosser. Against man coverage, trust the natural rub created by the crosser running through traffic near the drag route, this often springs the crosser open on the second read. Pair this call with Inside Zone and RPO Zone Peek earlier in a series so the defense respects the run fake and linebackers stay frozen longer on PA Cross. Best used on early downs, second and short or first and ten, when defenses are more willing to bite on run action instead of dropping into a pass-only shell.
