Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Go Slot Cross is a play-action shot play out of Shotgun Doubles Y Off that sells run action before releasing three receivers into a deep, layered route concept. The outside receiver on the left runs a deep Go up the sideline while the inside receiver breaks off a corner route toward the numbers, creating a natural high-low stretch on the boundary corner. On the play side, the flat route breaks outside underneath while the vertical seam threat up the numbers occupies the safety, and the deep crossing element clears underneath zones for the corner route to sit down in the void. The primary read starts with the deep corner route working against single high safety, then works down to the flat route if the defense rolls coverage over the top.
Defensive Reads
Read the safety shell before the snap: single high alignment tells you the corner route has a clean window against Cover 3 or Cover 1 man. Watch the flat defender or slot corner leverage at the snap, since if they widen with the flat route it opens the crossing route underneath for a shorter checkdown. Key the play side linebacker depth, if he sits shallow to jump the flat route he leaves the crossing lane open for the intermediate throw. This play struggles against Cover 4 or Cover 2 shells with two deep safeties, since both the corner and go routes get bracketed by the deep half defenders. Look for a user-controlled defender flying downhill on the play fake, if the defense sells out on the run action the deep corner route behind him is the explosive answer. Disguised zone blitzes with a delayed corner blitz are the biggest threat here, since the extended play-action fake gives edge rushers time to close before routes fully develop.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs like first or second and medium when defenses expect run action out of 11 personnel, since the play fake carries more weight and linebackers bite harder.
Check the safety alignment pre-snap: if you see one high safety, the deep corner route breaking off the vertical stem is your money shot against Cover 3 or Cover 1.
If the defense shows two high safeties, work the flat route first since the corner route will be squeezed by the deep half defender.
Pair this with Mtn PA Sweep H-Angle or Mtn PA Sweep HB Seam earlier in a drive so the run fake window is fully established before dialing this up as the shot play.
Hot route the flat route into a quick option or check it down against heavy pressure looks, since the deep routes take time to develop and this play is vulnerable to disguised blitzes.
Sequence this after Slants or RPO Peek Slant to condition linebackers to jump underneath routes, then hit the corner route over the top once they start cheating up.
