Playbooks
Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.
| Player | Side | Route |
|---|---|---|
| HB1 | Left | Flat |
| TE2 | Right | Curl |
| WR1 | Left | Deep Post |
| WR2 | Left | Flat |
| TE1 | Right | Deep Cross |
Mtn PA Cross is a play-action pass out of 12 personnel that uses the mountain motion look to sell the run before the quarterback drops for a crossing route concept. The blocking scheme mimics an inside zone run action to hold the linebackers and safeties for a beat, buying time for the receivers to work across the field on their crossers. This is primarily a man beater, since the crossing routes create natural rub and pick opportunities against man defenders, though the deep shot off the play-action can also punish single high zone shells. The primary read progression starts with the deep crossing route working opposite the play-action flow, then works down to the shorter cross underneath and finally to the checkdown or backside option if the crossers are covered.
Watch the linebacker depth at the snap, since if they bite hard on the run fake and step up, the crossing routes will have soft grass underneath for an easy completion. Identify man coverage by looking for defenders turning their backs to the quarterback and mirroring receiver motion, which is when the natural rub from the crossing routes creates the most separation. Beware of a sim pressure or nano blitz disguised behind the play-action look, since the extra rusher can collapse the pocket before the crossers develop, especially against aggressive four man fronts with a spy. Against zone coverage, key on the flow of the linebackers and safeties toward the play-action side, since a defender sitting in the passing lane or a user controlled lurk defender can jump the crossing route and bait an interception. Cover 3 with a hard flowing strong safety is the biggest threat to this concept, since that defender can rob the deep crosser if the quarterback holds the ball too long, so use your presnap motion and hot routes to identify that rotation before the snap.
Sell the run fake by holding the left stick through the play-action animation instead of immediately dropping back, since a rushed drop tips off defenders and kills the run fake benefit.
Use this on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage when defenses are more likely to bite on the run action, especially if you have already established Bounce Inside Zone Lt or Inside Zone earlier in the drive.
Check the middle of the field pre-snap for a single high safety, since that indicates man or a light box that this crossing concept can exploit with rub routes.
If the defense shows two high safeties, consider hot routing the deep crosser to sit down in the intermediate zone instead of pushing all the way across, since that beats off coverage and Tampa 2 shells that flow underneath.
Pair this play with Mtn Mesh Traffic and Mtn HB Base in your play-calling sequence, since the shared mountain motion look keeps the defense guessing between run, mesh, and this deep cross concept.