Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Bounce PA TE Cross runs a play-action shot off outside zone flow, with the offensive line and backfield selling the bounce run action before the QB pulls it out to throw. Off the fake, one TE runs a deep cross underneath a receiver clearing vertically down the far sideline, while the backside receiver runs a corner route up the numbers and a check-release out of the backfield flashes underneath in the middle for a shallow option. This is a play-action man beater that stresses the second level with the crossing TE working away from the run flow, and the primary read progression starts with the TE cross, then works to the vertical clear route on the same side, then comes back to the backside corner if the defense sits on the crosser.
Defensive Reads
Pre snap identify whether the defense is showing man coverage with corners in press or trail alignment on the outside receivers, since the TE cross and corner route both exploit man leverage. Watch linebacker depth and run fits, if they are stacked tight to the box anticipating outside zone, the middle of the field opens for the TE cross immediately after the play fake. Post snap key the safety rotation, a single high safety who steps up to fill the run fake leaves the deep vertical clear route wide open behind him. Zone defenses with a robber or lurk defender sitting in the shallow to intermediate middle can undercut the TE cross, so if you see a linebacker sink into that window at the snap, work the vertical or corner route instead. Blitz packages that send extra rushers off the edge can beat the play if the play-action fake does not sufficiently freeze the front seven, so check protection or slide the TE to chip before releasing on the cross versus known pressure teams.
Usage Tips
Sell the run fake by pairing this with your outside zone runs earlier in the drive so linebackers bite on the bounce action and vacate the middle for the TE cross. Use this on early downs like first or second and medium when defenses are geared to stop the run out of Deuce personnel. Check the safety alignment pre snap, if you see two high safeties rotate down or a single high safety cheat toward the run side, that confirms man or a run blitz look, both of which this play punishes. Hot route the check release back if you see a linebacker spy or blitz coming through the vacated run gap, giving your QB a quick outlet instead of forcing the deep cross into traffic. Sequence this with Bounce Inside Zone Split and Bounce Outside Zone earlier in the game to condition the defense to bite on run action before hitting them with this shot play.
