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Breakdown
PA Post Cross Shot is a play-action shot play out of Singleback Ace 12 personnel that hits the play-action fake to sell the run before working a deep post and a crossing route into a vertical shot concept. The backfield fake holds linebackers and safeties for a beat, opening the post route to split the safeties while the crosser works underneath to occupy man defenders or settle into zone voids. This is primarily a man beater built for explosive plays down the field, with the primary read progression going post first for the big play, then working back to the crosser or checking down if the post is blanketed.
Defensive Reads
Look for single high safety alignment pre-snap, which signals man coverage or a Cover 3 shell that leaves the post route in a favorable one on one matchup down the middle. Watch the strong safety and slot defender at the snap to see if they bite on the play-action fake, since any hesitation from the second level defenders creates a bigger throwing window for the post. Identify Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells pre-snap because two deep safeties will bracket the post and force you to check down to the crosser underneath instead of forcing the deep shot. Key on user-controlled defenders sitting in the middle of the field as lurk threats, since a smart user linebacker or safety can jump the crossing route and bait a turnover if you stare it down. Blitz packages that bring extra pressure off the edge can disrupt the play-action fake timing, so if you see a heavy blitz alignment pre-snap consider getting the ball out quickly to the crosser as a built in answer.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or in shot situations like 2nd and short when defenses are more likely to bite on the run fake and sell out against the play action. Check pre-snap for single high safety looks because that tells you the post has a one on one matchup on the deep half, which is the ideal shot. If you see two deep safeties, be ready to progress off the post quickly to the crosser since the post window will be tighter against split safety shells. Hot route the crosser into a deeper drag if you are facing heavy underneath zone coverage to clear out linebackers and give your primary post more room to operate. Pair this play with HB Dive or Inside Zone in your play calling sequence earlier in the drive to bait linebackers into aggressive run fits, then hit this shot play once they start flowing hard downhill on the run fake.
