Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Close PA Cross is a play-action pass out of Singleback Ace Close with 12 personnel that shows run action before the QB works a deep crossing route concept. Off the fake, one receiver from the boundary side runs a deep crosser all the way across the field while the play side receiver breaks outside on an out route toward the sideline, and a third receiver runs a quick out underneath to the opposite flat. The primary read progression starts with the deep cross coming from the backside, then works down to the corner route breaking to the pylon, and checks down to the flat route if both are covered, making this a zone beater designed to stretch the field high low and horizontally while the play fake holds linebackers.
Defensive Reads
Attack Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells where the deep cross can split zone drops between the flat defender and the deep third defenders. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they bite hard on the run fake the crosser will cross their face wide open for an explosive gain. Cover 2 with a sinking safety can be a problem since the corner route sits right in the deep half landmark, so be ready to check down to the flat route instead. Man coverage with an underneath spy or a lurking linebacker in the middle of the field can undercut the crosser, so read the QB's eyes and be ready to click on to the crossing defender. Aggressive interior blitzes can beat the play fake if the offense does not sell the run convincingly, so watch for a delayed A gap or B gap blitzer crashing before the crosser develops.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs in run heavy personnel counts so the play fake actually holds linebackers and safeties out of position.
Check the safety alignment before the snap, if you see two high safeties sitting deep the crosser will have room to work underneath them for a big gain.
If the defense shows single high or a robber look, hot route the crosser to a shorter dig or hitch since the middle of the field will be occupied by a rover defender.
Pair this call with HB Zone Wk or HB Stretch earlier in a series so the run action sells and defenders start cheating downhill on this play-action shot.
User the crossing route receiver right at the catch point against man coverage to box out the trailing defender, and against zone let the route work through the seam before hitting him in stride.
