Playbooks

PA Zone Cross

Shotgun·Normal Y Off·11

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Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetNormal Y Off

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 2 playbooks

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Breakdown

PA Zone Cross out of Shotgun Normal Y Off is a play-action shot play built off zone run action, designed to attack the seams and hi-lo the middle of the field with a deep crossing route paired with an under route from the opposite side. The play-action fake pulls linebackers and safeties toward the run fit, opening throwing lanes for the crosser as it works from one boundary to the other. Primary read progression starts with the deep dig or cross coming across the field, then works down to the underneath crosser or flat route if the defense sinks its zone coverage, making this a zone beater first and a solid man beater second if your receiver wins the initial footrace.

Defensive Reads

Look for two high safeties pre snap. If they stay two high after the snap the deep cross will be contested, so be ready to work the underneath option. Watch linebacker depth at the snap. Linebackers who step up hard on the run fake create the biggest window for the crosser to work through the middle of the field. Identify Cover 3 with a single high safety since the deep crosser can split the zone between the flat defender and the deep third defender if the safety bites on the fake. User lurk defenders sitting in the middle of the field are the biggest threat to this concept, so account for a spy or rat in the hole before committing to the deep throw. Man coverage with press corners and no safety help invites a big play on the cross, but disguised zone blitzes with fast linebacker drops can jump the crossing route if the quarterback holds the ball too long.

Usage Tips

Use this on early downs or in second and medium situations when defenses are more likely to respect the run fake and bite on the play-action.

Check the safety depth before the snap. If both safeties are sitting shallow near ten to twelve yards, the deep cross has a much smaller window and you should be ready to check down.

Hot route the underneath crosser into a sit or drag if you see man coverage with no safety help over the top, giving your quarterback an easier completion against man beaters.

Pair this call with Same Side Zone or Inside Zone earlier in a drive so the defense respects the run action, then dial up PA Zone Cross to cash in on aggressive linebacker run fits.

Sequence this with Shuffle Z Short Cross or Y Shallow Cross later in a series since the crossing concepts look similar pre snap, forcing defenders to guess between shallow and deep crossers.