Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 17 playbooks
Breakdown
Fk Toss Lead Swing Cross is a play-action pass off toss action that shows run action to the flat before the QB pulls it back to throw. Off the fake, the play sends a deep crosser working from the backside all the way across the field underneath a receiver clearing out over the top, while a swing route releases to the flat opposite the fake and another receiver runs a comeback breaking back to the sideline. This is a man beater built to attack overpursuit on the toss fake, and the primary read progression starts with the deep crosser working across the middle before checking down to the swing route in the flat as the outlet.
Defensive Reads
Read the linebacker depth at the snap since shallow, aggressive linebackers flowing hard toward the toss fake confirm this play will hit for a big gain on the crosser. Key the flat defender or curl to flat player, if he widens with the swing route he opens the crossing lane behind him. Watch safety rotation before the snap, a single high safety cheating toward the fake leaves the crosser open in the void behind the second level. Against Cover 3 or Cover 4 zone shells with disciplined linebackers who do not bite on the fake, the crosser will get squeezed and the swing route becomes the necessary quick answer. Man coverage with an inside linebacker matched on the crosser is the ideal look for this play, since the route stresses lateral speed and forces a mismatch across the field.
Usage Tips
Sell the toss fake with a quick trigger to freeze linebackers before resetting to throw, since the entire concept relies on defenders biting on the run action.
Use this on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage when defenses are geared up to stop the run, maximizing the play-action hold.
If you see man coverage across the board, ride the deep crosser the full length of the field since it is your best win against trailing defenders in man.
Against zone shells, check down early to the swing route in the flat before the flat defender can sink underneath the crosser.
Pair this with Pin Pull Toss or Counter Y earlier in a series to condition the defense to bite on outside run action, then hit this play-action shot to punish overaggressive pursuit.
