Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn PA Cross is a play-action pass out of Shotgun 11 personnel that sells a run fake before the QB works a deep crossing concept. Off the play fake, the deep crosser (red) breaks hard from the backside and works all the way across the field for an explosive shot, while the two outside receivers (yellow) run vertical clear-out routes up the numbers to stretch the deep safeties and remove underneath help. The remaining backside receiver (blue) runs a shallow drag underneath the crosser to give the QB a quick check-down against pressure. This is a man beater at its core: the deep cross creates natural rub and separation against man defenders trailing across the field, and the outside verticals occupy corners and safeties in coverage. Primary read progression starts with the deep crosser working left to right, then verticals if a safety bites on the run fake, and finally the underneath drag as the checkdown against a blitz.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth immediately after the snap; if they bite hard on the run fake and flow toward the mesh point, the deep cross will be wide open behind them. Key the play side safety pre-snap; if he is rotated down in the box expecting run support, this play has a clean shot over the middle before he can recover. Identify man coverage by looking for defenders mirroring receiver motion or aligning tight with no help over the top, which is where the crosser thrives against trail technique. Zone shells with a deep half safety sitting in the middle of the field are the best defense against this concept, since he can rob the crosser as it crosses the field. Watch for a user-controlled lurk defender sitting in the shallow-to-intermediate zone, as he can undercut both the crosser and the drag route if the QB delays the throw.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs (1st or 2nd and medium) when defenses are keying run fits, since the play action freezes linebackers and opens the crosser.
Check safety alignment pre-snap; if you see two deep safeties sitting at depth, they can rob the crosser late, so be ready to check to the checkdown drag underneath.
Motion pre-snap if available to identify man versus zone; if the defender follows across the formation it confirms man coverage, which favors throwing the deep cross with confidence.
Hot route the underneath drag into a spot or option route versus zone-heavy shells to give yourself an easier completion versus zone beaters.
Pair this call with RPO Peek Slant or Quick Slants earlier in a series to condition the defense to sit on quick game, then hit them with the double move here for a big play once linebackers start jumping shallow routes.
