Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Redzone Scissors lines up in Shotgun out of the Normal Y Off set with 11 personnel, and the diagram shows the crossing "scissors" concept on the right side: the outside receiver runs a corner route while the inside slot receiver crosses underneath into the flat, creating natural traffic for defenders. The backside receiver runs a deep dig toward the middle, the TE runs a quick out, and the far outside receiver runs a deep comeback/curl toward the sideline. This is a man beater built to exploit the crossing routes against man coverage, with the corner and flat combo forcing defenders to fight through traffic, while the deep dig also gives a answer against zone drops. The primary read progression starts with the corner route against Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells, then works down to the flat/crosser combo if the corner is taken away, with the backside dig as a late crossing-field alert.
Defensive Reads
Watch the corner and safety alignment before the snap, since a rotated safety to the trips or two-receiver side signals Cover 2 or Cover 4, which this play is built to attack with the corner route. Key the flat defender or nickel defender post-snap, since he has to choose between the crossing route and the flat route, and either way he opens a throwing window. If the defense shows man coverage with the corner pressed at the line, expect the crossing routes to create natural rub separation, so watch for a user defender trying to jump the pick. Look for a lurking linebacker or safety sitting in the middle of the field, since he can undercut the backside dig route if the quarterback holds the ball too long. Zone blitzes with a delayed corner drop can shut this play down quickly, so check if the corner blitzes off the edge post-snap, which forces the quarterback into a quick decision on the flat route.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify if the safety is rotating to the corner route side, since Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells are what this play is designed to beat.
If you see man coverage across the board, prioritize the crossing route in the flat since the pick action from the corner route will create natural separation.
Use motion or a hot route on the far outside receiver to check the coverage on that side before the snap if you suspect man-to-man.
Call this play on second or third and medium in the redzone where the compressed field limits deep safety help over the top.
Pair this play with Curl Flats or Slant Flat in your play-calling sequence so the defense has to respect both quick flat throws and the deeper corner route, keeping linebackers and safeties honest.
