Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Jet PA Cross uses jet motion across the backfield to sell the run before the QB pulls it back for a play-action pass. Off the fake, the deep crosser works from one side of the formation all the way across the field on a flat, developing route while the outside receiver runs a corner route from the numbers, and the jet motion man releases vertically up the seam after clearing the box. The offensive line shows play-action pass protection with the fullback or extra blocker sealing the edge. This is a man beater at its core, since the deep crosser creates natural rub and separation against man defenders trying to trail across traffic, and the primary read progression starts with the crosser working across the field, then bounces to the seam route from the jet man, with the corner route as the low percentage boundary shot if the crosser gets jumped.
Defensive Reads
Key the middle linebacker and any second level defender assigned to spy the jet motion man, since a defender who steps up hard to defend the run opens the seam route wide open behind him. Watch for a single high safety rotating toward the crosser's side before the snap, which signals a robber or Tampa 2 style shell designed to sit on the deep cross and jump the throwing lane. Identify user-controlled defenders dropping into the shallow crossing lane immediately after the snap, since a smart human defender will often abandon zone assignment to sit on the crosser and bait the quarterback into a pick. Look for cornerback depth on the receiver running the corner route. Off man coverage or soft zone corners give up easy completions on the corner route, while press corners with safety help over the top shut that route down completely. Recognize overload blitz fronts pre-snap on the play-action side, since a hard edge rush can beat the play-action fake before the crosser has time to develop, forcing an early checkdown or throwaway.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs, especially first or second and short to medium, when defenses are more likely to sit in base run-support looks and bite on the jet sweep fake.
Check the pre-snap safety alignment before the snap. If you see two high safeties holding depth, the crosser will have room to work underneath and across the middle, but if you see a single high safety rotating down, expect the crosser to run into a robber or lurking linebacker.
Hot route the corner route to a comeback or hitch if you see press man on the outside receiver, since the corner route can get squeezed by aggressive press corners with deep half help.
Pair this play with Jet Touch Pass and Fake Jet HB Wheel earlier in a series so the defense starts keying jet motion as run action, which sets up the play-action fake in Jet PA Cross to freeze linebackers even longer.
Watch the play clock and snap timing closely against nano blitz packages, since the jet motion window can be exploited by a well timed edge blitz if your protection is not set before the snap.
