Playbooks
Breakdown
PA Cross Sit is a play-action pass out of Shotgun Trio HB Wk that shows a hard fake to the HB before the QB works a full field crosser concept. The X receiver runs a deep crossing route from the backside all the way across the formation as the primary shot play element, while the outside receiver on the play side runs a corner breaking route up the numbers and the inside slot runs a short sit route to give a quick underneath option. The TE releases outside on a dig style breakout route, giving the QB a five step full field read from the deep cross to the sit route underneath if the play-action freezes the linebackers.
Defensive Reads
Read the linebacker depth at the snap, if they step up hard on the play-action fake, the crosser is wide open behind them against zone drops. Identify single high versus two high safety shells before the snap, since single high leaves the deep cross vulnerable to a rangy free safety sitting on the throw. Watch for a user-controlled linebacker spying the crosser or sinking into a lurk zone, this is the primary defender that shuts down the concept if he reads run action and stays disciplined. Man coverage with press corners can disrupt the timing of the deep cross, look for the QB to check down to the sit route or corner route if the cross gets rerouted. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge test the play-action fake, if the QB does not sell the fake with a full turn, expect pressure to arrive before the crosser develops.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or second and medium when defenses are keying run based on personnel and formation tendencies.
Check the safety alignment pre-snap, if you see two high safeties sitting deep, the crosser has room to work behind linebackers who bite on the play-action fake.
Hot route the sit route to a deeper option if the linebacker sags into the throwing lane, since it is the first read against zone coverage.
Pair this play with Inside Zone and Wide Zone from the same set so the run action sells identical linebacker flow before calling PA Cross Sit later in a drive.
Against man coverage, look to the corner route on the play side since the deep cross can get picked off by trailing defenders working through traffic.
