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Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
PA Ohio X-In N Up is a play-action shot play out of Shotgun Y Trips Wk that sells the run fake before attacking the middle of the field. The X receiver runs a deep in that cuts across the field underneath, the N (slot) runs a vertical up route splitting the seam, and the third trips receiver clears out deep to hold safeties. The backside outlet runs a shallow crosser to give the QB an underneath checkdown if the play-action window closes. This is a man beater at its core, using the X-In to break away from man coverage defenders while the N Up route stresses any single-high safety trying to help over the top. Primary progression starts with the N seam up route, works to the X-In crossing underneath it, and checks down to the shallow crosser if both are covered.
Defensive Reads
Key the middle linebacker depth at the snap, if he steps up to respect the play-action fake the seam window for the N Up route opens immediately. Watch for a robber or lurk defender sitting in the intermediate middle, he can jump both the X-In and the N Up route if he reads QB eyes. Identify single-high safety shells pre-snap, this play is built to exploit that look since the safety cannot cover both verticals in Trips. Cover 2 or 2 man shells with two deep safeties are the toughest matchup since the corner route clears out but the safety can still help over the seam. Watch for blitzes off the edge since the play-action rollout mechanics slow the QB's ability to escape pressure, and a hot underneath route needs to be ready as a answer.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or third and medium when defenses respect the run fake out of Y Trips Wk personnel.
Check pre-snap for single-high safety looks since the N Up route is designed to split the seam against exactly that shell.
If the defense shows Cover 2 or 2 man, hot route the N route into a corner or bend the X-In deeper to sit in the void between underneath and deep defenders.
Pair this call with HB Base or Inside Zone earlier in the drive so the play-action fake actually holds linebackers and forces bad run fits.
Watch the flat defender on the X-In crosser, if he sits and jumps the route, work back to the shallow crosser on the backside for an easy checkdown.
