Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
PA Scissors is a play-action pass out of Shotgun Tight Open that sells a run fake before attacking the outside vertical seams. On the play side, the outside receiver runs a corner route while the slot receiver crosses underneath on a deep out, creating the scissors crossing pattern that manipulates zone defenders and picks off man coverage at the crossing point. The backside receiver runs a deep post while the tight end and running back stay in to help protect on the fake, making this a Cover 2 and Cover 4 beater with the corner/post crossing action as the primary read progression, starting with the scissors side before working back to the post.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify single high versus two high safety alignment since PA Scissors is designed to exploit the seams that two high shells leave open on the outside. Watch cornerback depth at the snap: soft or off man coverage tips Cover 2 or Cover 4, both of which this concept is built to beat with the crossing corner and post combo. Post-snap, key the flat defender on the scissors side since a slow break to the flat or a defender who bites on the play fake opens the corner route immediately. Beware of a robber or lurk defender sitting in the middle of the field, since a user controlled defender reading the quarterback's eyes can jump the crossing routes and undercut the post. This play struggles against aggressive man coverage with no safety help over the top and against fast interior blitzes that beat the play action fake before routes fully develop, so check protection or hot route the back if you see a heavy box pre-snap.
Usage Tips
Use the play action fake on early downs like first and second and ten to keep linebackers honest and slow down their pass drops.
Read the safeties before the snap: if you see a two high shell with corners playing off, attack the corner route first since Cover 2 flat defenders often widen late and open the crossing window.
Against Cover 4, work the post route on the backside since quarter defenders are taught to sit on the corner and will often abandon the deep middle.
Hot route the running back to a check release or quick flare if you diagnose a blitz, since the play action fake leaves the quarterback exposed against pressure looks.
Pair this play with HB Draw or Read Option from the same Tight Open set to keep the defense guessing between run action and play action, forcing linebackers to respect the fake every snap.
