Playbooks

Fake Jet Scissors

Shotgun·Wing Slot Offset·12

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 2 playbooks

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Breakdown

Fake Jet Scissors is a play-action pass out of Shotgun Wing Slot Offset that sells the jet sweep motion before running a scissors route concept, where two receivers cross paths running opposite breaking routes to create natural separation against man coverage. The jet fake freezes linebackers and safeties for a beat, opening throwing lanes for the crossing routes underneath and the deeper breaking route behind them. Primary read progression starts with the shallow crosser to see if the man defender gets picked off in the traffic, then works to the deeper scissors route if the initial window is late developing.

Defensive Reads

Watch for linebacker depth at the snap, if they crash hard toward the jet motion side you have a clean window for the crossing routes on the other side of the field. Identify man coverage by checking if defenders turn their hips and run with receivers pre-snap, since the scissors crossing action is designed to create natural rub picks against man defenders. Look for a lurking user defender sitting in the shallow crossing lane, this is the most common way aggressive users shut this play down by jumping the underneath crosser. Check for double high safety shells, since two deep defenders can bracket the deeper breaking route and take away the primary progression, forcing you to the checkdown. Beware of delayed blitzes disguised as coverage drops, if the play-action fake does not hold defenders long enough you may need to get the ball out on time to the shallow route before pressure arrives.

Usage Tips

Use the jet motion pre-snap to bait linebackers into flowing hard toward the sweep side, this is your indicator that the play-action fake will hold the second and third level defenders. Check safety alignment before the snap, single high shells with aggressive linebacker fits are prime for this concept since the crossing routes exploit man coverage leverage. Hot route the backside receiver into a quick out or drag if you diagnose zone coverage post-snap, giving yourself a checkdown against zone beaters that sit in the crossing lanes. Pair this call with Jet Touch Pass or PA Jet Sweep earlier in a series so defenders start respecting the jet action, then hit them with this play-action shot once they overplay the run fake. Best used on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage when defenses are more willing to bite on run action.

Other Plays in Wing Slot Offset