Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Cheat Wrap Cross is a play-action pass out of Shotgun Split Close Pro that sells the run fake before releasing three distinct route levels. The deep route pushes vertically up the numbers as a clear-out, a deep crosser works from the opposite side all the way across the field underneath that vertical shot, and an intermediate route breaks outside after a wrap action to sit down at the sticks, while a checkdown option releases out of the backfield into the flat. The primary read progression starts with the deep crosser working from the backside since play-action freezes linebackers and opens that middle-of-field window, then works down to the intermediate out-breaker, and finishes with the flat route as the checkdown against pressure or a squeezed window.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth and shoulder turn at the snap since aggressive downhill linebackers biting on the play-action fake are the key indicator that the deep crosser will have a clean throwing lane. Check for a single-high safety shell (Cover 1 or Cover 3) pre-snap, since the deep crosser exploits the vacated middle zone if the free safety bites on run action or gets occupied by the vertical clear-out route. User the deep middle defender or lurking linebacker to sit on the crosser's path, as a disciplined user in that window is the primary way to shut this play down against man or zone coverage. Look for zone drop timing from the flat defender and outside linebacker, since a well-timed zone drop can undercut the intermediate out-breaker before it settles at the sticks. Beware of a Cover 2 or Cover 4 shell with disciplined safeties staying deep, since that coverage denies the deep crosser space and forces the quarterback down to the checkdown, which aggressive user blitzes can exploit for a negative play.
Usage Tips
Use the play-action fake early in drives or on early downs (first or second and medium) when defenses respect the run threat from this 21 personnel look, since linebacker bite on the fake is what creates the crosser window.
Identify the coverage shell pre-snap by checking safety depth: against two-high shells the deep crosser has room to work across the middle, while against single-high looks the intermediate out route becomes the more reliable read due to the safety sitting deep.
Hot route the checkdown back to a quick flat or swing route if you diagnose an overload blitz, since the play-action fake can hold blockers long enough to need a hot outlet against extra rushers.
Pair this play in a sequence with Inside Zone Split or Cheat FB Power O to keep defenses honest on the ground fake, then dial up PA Cheat Wrap Cross once the defense starts crashing downhill on run keys.
Combine with PA Cheat Wheel Post or PA Cheat Double Crossers in the same set to give the defense multiple crossing route shells off identical run-action, forcing linebackers to guess rather than key the fake.
