Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 12 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Cross is a play-action pass out of Shotgun Doubles HB Wk that sells the run fake before releasing five eligible options into a deep crosser concept. The backside receiver runs a deep crossing route that stretches all the way across the field over the middle, the inline tight end runs an under route breaking to the opposite flat, and the outside receiver on that side clears vertically deep to hold the safety. The running back fakes the handoff then chips before leaking into a shallow route underneath, while the play design uses run blocking up front to sell the play fake. This is a man beater at its core: the deep cross creates natural rub separation against man coverage while the levels concept of shallow, under and deep cross gives you access versus zone as well. Primary read progression starts with the deep crosser, works down to the tight end under route, then checks the shallow drag from the backfield.
Defensive Reads
Watch pre-snap safety depth, if both safeties are deep and even it suggests Cover 2 or Cover 4, which allows you to sit zone defenders short before the deep cross clears. Man coverage with press corners and a single high safety is the shell most vulnerable to this play, since the deep cross will rub off traffic and create a wide-open window. Post-snap, key the middle linebacker and any user-controlled defender flowing toward the crosser, a well-timed lurk or spy can jump the route if the quarterback holds too long. Blitz packages that bring extra defenders off the edge can be exploited if the running back releases clean into his shallow route, since the play-action fake occupies the second level. Cover 3 with a hard-charging strong safety can undercut the deep cross if the quarterback does not check off to the tight end under route in time.
Usage Tips
Look for man coverage indicators pre-snap like corners lined up tight with no safety help over the top, since the deep cross will pull defenders into traffic and create natural separation.
Use play action from run-heavy personnel and distance situations like second and short or first and ten to keep linebackers honest and slow their pass drop, which opens up the crosser even more.
If you see two deep safeties or Cover 2, check the ball down to the tight end under route or the shallow drag rather than forcing the deep crosser into a soft zone underneath.
Pair this with Double Cross or Y Cross earlier in a drive to condition the defense to bite on similar crossing action, then hit this play when they start jumping routes.
Combine with RPO Peek Slant or RPO Zone Read Bubble in the same set to keep the defense guessing between run action and play-action shots off similar formation looks.
