Playbooks

Reload PA Cross

Shotgun·Normal Y Off Close·11
Play ActionMotionPass PlayCrosserCornerDeep CrossFlatIn
Play diagram for Reload PA Cross from Shotgun Normal Y Off Close in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

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Breakdown

Reload PA Cross is a play-action shot play out of Shotgun Normal Y Off Close with 11 personnel that hits off a run fake to sell the play fake before the quarterback resets to throw. Off the fake, the deep crosser works from the left side all the way across the field and settles in behind the underneath zone at the numbers, while both outside receivers push vertical up the sideline to stretch the deep safeties and clear the middle of the field. On the right side, a receiver runs a quick out to the flat and the boundary route underneath sits shallow as a checkdown, giving the quarterback a high low read from the deep crosser to the flat route. This is a man beater at its core, using the crosser to create natural separation against man coverage while the vertical routes occupy the deep defenders.

Defensive Reads

Key the safety rotation immediately after the snap to determine if the defense is playing single high or two high shell. Against man coverage, user the defender assigned to the crosser and try to stay on top of the route to disrupt the timing before it fully develops. Watch for a linebacker or slot corner sitting as a lurk defender in the shallow middle zone, since this can jump the crosser if the quarterback throws it late. Cover 3 with a hard sink from the deep middle safety can take away the crosser if the underneath defenders wall it off, forcing the quarterback to the flat route. Blitz heavy looks with man coverage behind them are the biggest risk, since the crosser takes time to develop and the quarterback may need to check down quickly if pressure gets home.

Usage Tips

Use this play on early downs like first or second and medium when defenses are more willing to bite on the run fake.

Check pre snap for single high safety looks like Cover 1 or Cover 3, since the crosser is deadly against man coverage and will pick off trailing defenders.

If you see two deep safeties and Cover 2 or Cover 4, look to the flat route or the checkdown underneath since the crosser will have less room to work against a zone shell.

Pair this play with Reload PA Deep Sail or Reload Quick HB Trail in the same set to keep defenses guessing between deep shots and quick game after selling the same run action.

Sell the play fake by holding the animation as long as possible before resetting to throw, this manipulates linebackers and freezes run blitzers long enough for the crosser to clear traffic.

Other Plays in Normal Y Off Close