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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
PA CoPo Cross Dig is a play-action pass out of Shotgun Y Off Trips Close that hits off a run fake to sell the linebackers up before the QB works the deep middle. The backside X runs a deep corner post that bends away from the trips side, the two inside trips receivers run a deep in cross and a shallow drag underneath it, and the outside trips receiver clears out with a corner route to hold the deep defenders. This is a man beater built to exploit crossing traffic and pick, with the primary read progression going corner post first for the explosive shot, then working down to the crossing dig, and checking down to the underneath drag if the pocket collapses or the play action freezes the defense long enough.
Defensive Reads
Key the safety rotation at the snap, if the single high safety bites on the run fake the corner post window opens up immediately for a big play. Watch for user linebackers dropping into the crossing lanes, a disciplined zone drop from the middle linebacker can undercut both the dig and the drag since they stack the same area. Identify man coverage with no safety help over the top, this is the trigger to take the shot to the corner post rather than working the shorter crossers. Blitz-happy defenses that bring extra rushers off the edge can win before the play action fake fully develops, so recognize a nano blitz look pre-snap and be ready to check down to the drag quickly. Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells with defenders sinking deep will clog the corner post throwing lane, forcing the quarterback to live underneath with the dig and drag combo instead.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or manageable third downs when you have already established the run game with HB Power or Inside Zone from this same set so the play action fake actually holds linebackers.
Check pre-snap for single high safety looks, since the corner post is a shot play that thrives against man coverage with only one deep defender to threaten over the top.
If the defense shows two high safeties or soft zone shells, hot route the corner post into a comeback or work your eyes straight to the crossing dig since the traffic underneath will still be there.
Pair this call with Pats Cross or Jets Crosses earlier in a series to condition the defense to sit on shallow crossers, then hit this deeper corner post shot when they bite.
Protect the play action fake by using max protect or keeping the HB in if you are facing a heavy pressure look, since the deep drop needed for the corner post and dig combo takes time to develop.
