Playbooks

PA Clear Cross

Shotgun·Tight·11

Play Action Pass Play Crosser

Play diagram for PA Clear Cross from Shotgun Tight in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetTight

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

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Breakdown

PA Clear Cross runs out of Shotgun Tight 11 personnel with a play-action fake to hold the linebackers before the quarterback works the crossing concept. Off the fake, one outside receiver clears deep to the far sideline while the backside receiver runs a deep corner route to stretch the defense vertically, and the inside receiver from the strong side runs the underneath crosser (the red route) all the way across the field as the primary target. The clear out route and corner route occupy the deep defenders, opening up space underneath and creating a natural progression from the crosser to the deep corner if the middle is jumped.

Defensive Reads

Look for two deep safeties pre snap, which signals the defense may sink into a zone drop that can clog the crossing lane, forcing you to check to the corner route instead. If the defense shows a single high safety, the crosser has more room to work underneath since the safety is occupied with deep middle responsibility. Watch the middle linebacker at the snap, if he sits in the shallow zone or spies the crosser, expect a jump on the throwing lane and be ready to move to your second read. Man coverage with no safety help over the top is where this play shines because the clear out route removes a defender and the crosser has a natural rub advantage. Beware of a user controlled linebacker sitting in the crosser lane or a disguised zone blitz that drops a defensive lineman into the shallow crossing zone, both of which can bait a turnover if you force the throw.

Usage Tips

Sell the play action fake by holding the RB button briefly before releasing into your read so linebackers commit to the run fake. Use this on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage where defenses are more likely to bite on the run action. Check the middle linebacker depth pre snap, if he is sitting shallow expecting a crosser, consider hot routing the crosser into a shallow drag or speed up the route with a receive icon to beat the sit zone. Pair this play with Y Cross or Tight Crosses in the same set to keep the defense guessing between crossing concepts run from similar formations and personnel. Against man coverage, the clear out route on the backside can pull a defender completely out of the picture, so target the crosser immediately since the traffic created should spring him open against trailing defenders.