Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Cross Switch runs off a play-action fake from Shotgun Trey Offset, holding the box before releasing four routes into a switch concept. The two receivers on the left side crisscross at the snap, with one sitting into a shallow drag underneath while the other climbs into a deep crossing route that stems all the way across the field. On the right, the tight end or slot runs a deep dig up the seam, and the backside receiver adds a shallow drag underneath moving away from the crosser. This is a man beater built to create natural rub traffic with the switch release, and the primary read progression starts with the deep crosser working across the middle, works down to the underneath drag if the crosser is covered, then bails to the far side dig if the play-action freezes the linebackers long enough.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify single high shells (Cover 1 or Cover 3) since the deep crosser has room to work across the field without a second deep defender to help over the top. Watch linebacker depth before the snap, if they are sitting shallow near the line of scrimmage they are more susceptible to the play-action freeze, opening the crosser and dig behind them. Post-snap, key the middle linebacker or user defender for a lurk technique sitting in the deep middle third, since that defender can undercut the crossing route if he reads play-action quickly. Cover 2 shells with two deep safeties can squeeze the window on the deep crosser, so check the underneath drag route as the higher percentage throw against split safety looks. Watch for a delayed blitz off the edge disguised behind the play-action look, since Trey Offset formations can bait aggressive blitzers into showing late and collapsing the pocket before routes develop.
Usage Tips
Sell the play-action fake by holding the run button briefly before releasing into your drop, since linebackers biting on the run fake open up the deep crosser and dig immediately.
Use this on early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and medium) when defenses are more likely to respect the run threat out of Trey Offset personnel.
Against man coverage, trust the switch release on the left to create natural traffic and separation for the deep crosser, since the picks generated by crossing releases beat man defenders locked in trail technique.
Pair this play with Inside Zone or HB Counter earlier in a drive to condition the defense into keying run action, then hit them with PA Cross Switch once linebackers start creeping toward the line of scrimmage.
If the user drops a linebacker into the deep middle to lurk the crosser, check down immediately to the underneath drag route since it will be open in the vacated shallow zone.
