Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn PA Cross uses a run fake to sell play action before working a deep crosser as the primary route concept. The red route runs a deep crossing pattern from one side of the formation all the way across the field, breaking underneath any deep safety help, while one gold route runs a deep vertical seam to hold the far side coverage and the second gold route runs a shallow drag or checkdown route to the flat as a release valve. The blocking scheme shows the offensive line and backfield selling run action to freeze linebackers before the QB works the crosser as the first read, then progresses to the vertical shot or the underneath drag if the middle of the field is congested. This is a man beater concept that exploits linebackers and safeties who bite on the run fake, since the crosser picks up natural separation working away from man coverage leverage.
Defensive Reads
Check pre snap safety depth since a single high safety who bites on the run fake opens up the deep crosser for an explosive gain. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they step up hard to fill run gaps the crosser will sit in the vacated middle of the field with no underneath defender to close the window. This concept struggles against teams that stay disciplined in zone drops and keep linebackers at depth to wall off crossing routes, so look for Tampa 2 or split field zone shells that keep a robber underneath. Man coverage with no safety help over the top is the ideal shell to attack since the crosser naturally loses a trailing defender working across the field. Beware of user controlled defenders sitting in a lurk position in the middle of the field, since a smart user can jump the crosser route and turn this into a pick six if the QB stares it down too long.
Usage Tips
Sell the run fake with the analog stick to freeze linebackers before dropping into your dropback, since the PA sell is what creates the window for the crosser. Use this play on early downs like first or second and short to medium distance so the run fake actually looks credible to the defense. Watch for teams that key on your run tendencies since a heavy dose of Mtn Outside Zone or HB Power O from this same set will make the PA hold defenders longer. Hot route the shallow drag into a spot route against zone heavy defenses if you need a quicker underneath answer versus a soft zone shell. Pair this call with Mtn Y Lead Read Option or Mtn WR Swing earlier in a series so the defense respects the run fake before you dial up the crosser for a big gain.
