Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
PA Cross runs a play-action fake from Singleback Ace Slot 12 personnel, holding the second level with a run fake before the QB works the crossers. The backside outside receiver runs a deep crossing route that stretches all the way across the field, while the slot receiver on that side runs an under route heading in the opposite direction as a shallow crosser, creating a natural rub and picking off man defenders. On the play side, the TE releases into a deep in-cut over the middle and the outside receiver runs a shallow drag underneath, with the running back checking down into the flat off the play-action block. This is primarily a man beater built on crossing traffic and levels, with the deep crosser as the first read, the intermediate in-cut as the second read, and the flat/drag as the checkdown against a hard blitz.
Defensive Reads
Read the safety alignment pre-snap, since a single-high look tells you Cover 3 or Cover 1 defenders will have to fight through traffic on the crossers. Watch the linebacker depth after the play-action fake, if they bite hard on the run fake the deep crosser and in-cut will have clean windows behind them. Key the flow of man defenders across the field, since a heavy man scheme will get picked by the natural rub between the deep crosser and the underneath crosser. Diagnose blitz packages before the snap, an overload blitz off the edge means the QB needs to get to the checkdown running back quickly. Zone coverage with a deep middle defender sitting in the crossing lanes can undercut both the in-cut and the deep crosser, so look for the flat route as the escape valve against a sunk safety or Cover 3 dropoff.
Usage Tips
Use PA Cross on early downs like 1st and 10 or 2nd and short so the run fake actually holds linebackers and freezes the second level.
Pre-snap, identify single-high versus two-high shells since the deep crosser needs room behind the linebackers to sit down against zone or separate against man.
Hot route the checkdown running back into a flat route if you diagnose a blitz, giving the QB an outlet against pressure off the play-action drop.
Pair this with HB Dive or HB Zone Alert Bubble earlier in a drive to sell the run fake, then call PA Cross once the defense starts crashing down on run action.
Against man coverage, trust the natural rub created by the crossing routes and lead the deep crosser in stride since the pick will create separation at the top of the route.
Use PA Ctr Waggle or PA Boot Over as a changeup off the same formation to keep defenses guessing between rollout action and standard play-action drops.
