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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
PA Go Slot Cross runs off a play-action fake out of Shotgun Doubles Offset, giving the QB a rollout-style pocket while the outside receiver on the boundary side attacks vertically on a deep Go route to stretch the safety. On the trips side, the slot receiver runs a deep crossing route underneath the Go and over the flat, while the inline receiver on that side runs a corner style out and up route that settles as an intermediate breaking option. The backside receiver runs a short hitch/flat route to hold the underneath defender. This is a play-action shot play built to hit the deep crosser or Go route against man coverage, with the primary read progression starting on the vertical Go to look for a one-on-one shot, then working to the deep cross as it clears the middle of the field, and finally checking down to the flat route if the pocket collapses or the play-action fake buys enough time.
Defensive Reads
Identify single high safety shells before the snap, since that leaves the Go route vulnerable to a deep shot with only one defender over the top. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they bite hard on the play-action fake it opens up the deep crosser working through the vacated middle of the field. Match up personnel on the slot crosser, if a linebacker or slower defender is asked to trail across the field in man coverage this route wins consistently. Look for a user-controlled defender sitting in a deep third or hovering over the middle, since that lurk threat can undercut the crossing route if the QB stares it down too long. This play struggles against two high safety shells like Cover 2 or Cover 4, since the Go route gets capped and the crosser runs into help over the middle, so expect defenses to roll coverage to take away the shot element.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs or in shot situations like second and short where defenses are more likely to bite on the play-action fake and sell out on run support.
Check pre-snap for single high safety looks, since the Go route on the boundary can win one-on-one against a corner playing without deep help.
If you see man coverage indicators like DBs mirroring receivers pre-snap, prioritize the deep crossing route since it naturally creates separation working against man defenders trying to trail across the field.
Pair this call with Double Slants or Drag Under earlier in a series so the defense respects quick game and bites harder on the play-action fake here.
Hot route the backside flat receiver into a deeper option if you are facing a defense that consistently drops a linebacker into that shallow zone, since it removes a low value checkdown.
Avoid calling this against heavy blitz packages unless you have a hot route ready to convert the flat route into a quick outlet, since the deep routes take time to develop.
