Playbooks

PA X Burst Cross

Singleback·Ace·12

Play Action Crosser Pass Play

Likely unavailable in the playbook builder

This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Diagram coming soon

Quick Reference

FormationSingleback

SetAce

Personnel

121 RB · 2 TE · 2 WR

In 2 playbooks

Franchise Offense MotioninoceanOffense Franchise Offense ShotplaysOffense

Breakdown

PA X Burst Cross is a play-action pass out of Singleback Ace with 12 personnel that sells the run fake first to freeze linebackers before working a deep crossing route from the X receiver combined with a burst breakout to occupy underneath defenders. The play design layers the crosser behind shorter developing routes, making it an effective man beater since the X eats up leverage and picks off trailing defenders in man coverage, while also creating natural zone beater window against teams that flow hard to the play-action fake. The primary read progression starts with the play-action fake read to see if linebackers bite, then works to the X burst route on the perimeter, and finally comes back to the deep crosser as it clears the middle of the field.

Defensive Reads

Identify pre-snap safety alignment, since a single high safety struggles to help over the top on the deep crosser once it clears traffic. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, because shallow linebackers who step up on the run fake open a soft window for the crosser to sit behind them. Key user controlled defenders sitting in a lurk spot in the middle of the field, since a smart user defender can jump the crosser route if he reads it early. Recognize Cover 3 or Cover 1 shells as vulnerable to this concept, while two high safety shells like Cover 2 or Cover 4 with disciplined linebackers who do not bite on the fake will shut down the crosser. Look for zone blitz dressed pre-snap disguises, since a delayed blitz off the edge can collapse the play-action pocket before the crosser has time to develop.

Usage Tips

Sell the play-action fake by holding the fake button through the animation to keep second level defenders locked on the run action.

Check pre-snap for single high safety looks, since the crosser has more room to work against a lone deep defender than in true two high shells.

Hot route the burst route into a quick out if you see press man corners jumping outside routes early, giving you a fast underneath answer.

Use this on early down and distance calls like first or second and short to medium yardage, when defenses are more likely to respect the run fake.

Pair this with HB Dive or Inside Zone earlier in the drive so linebackers start keying run fits, then dial up PA X Burst Cross to punish overaggressive flow to the fake.