Playbooks

PA Scissors

Shotgun·Tight Open·11
Play ActionScissorsPass PlayCover 2 BeaterCover 4 BeaterCornerPostDragCrosserFlat
Play diagram for PA Scissors from Shotgun Tight Open in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 6 playbooks

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Breakdown

PA Scissors is a play-action pass out of Shotgun Tight Open that uses a run fake to hold the linebackers before attacking downfield with a scissors concept on the right side. The two receivers on the right cross paths, one running a deep corner route while the other breaks into a deep post, creating natural traffic that forces defenders to choose or collide in man coverage. On the left side the outside receiver runs a deep vertical while the TE releases into the flat and the HB checks down into a shallow flat route underneath, giving the QB a full field progression from the scissors combo to the checkdown. This is primarily a man beater due to the crossing routes rattling man defenders, though it also stresses Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells by forcing the safeties to cover both the post and corner routes vertically. The primary read starts with the scissors combo on the right (post versus corner), then works to the backside vertical, and finally checks down to the flat routes if nothing opens deep.

Defensive Reads

Watch for two deep safeties pre-snap, since Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells are the primary defenses this scissors combo is designed to attack. Man coverage with no safety help over the top gets exposed by the natural rub created when the post and corner routes cross paths. If you see a linebacker sitting in a deep zone drop over the scissors concept, that is a lurk defender who can jump the post route, so be ready to reset to the corner route instead. Cover 3 with a hard flat defender can undercut both the checkdown flat route and the shallow crosser, so identify the flat defender's depth before committing to the underneath option. A delayed blitz off the edge on the play-action side is the biggest threat to this play, since the extra rush defeats the run fake and forces a rushed throw before the scissors routes fully develop.

Usage Tips

Use PA Scissors on early downs or second and short when the defense expects run, since the play fake needs linebackers to bite for the concept to fully develop.

Check the safety alignment before the snap: if you see two high safeties sitting deep, the scissors concept will still work because the crossing routes create natural picks against man coverage underneath the safeties.

Hot route the backside vertical receiver into a deeper stem or drag if you see zone shells rolling to that side, since it is the least utilized read in the base concept.

Pair this play with Bench or HB Draw earlier in a series to sell the same backfield action and condition the defense to bite on the run fake before dialing up PA Scissors.

Against aggressive man press corners, trust the scissors combo immediately since the natural rub created by the crossing routes will beat most man coverage without needing to hold the ball.

Other Plays in Tight Open