Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Cross is a play-action pass out of Singleback Bunch X Nasty that uses the RB fake to hold the second level before the QB works the crossing routes. Off the bunch alignment, the outer receiver runs a deep crossing route to the far sideline while the middle bunch receiver runs a shallow drag through the formation in the same direction, creating a natural high-low crosser combo, and the backside X runs a vertical clear-out to occupy the far cornerback and safety. The single blue route shows the RB releasing on a check release into the flat as a safety valve after selling the play-action fake. Primary read progression starts with the deep crosser, works down to the shallow drag if the linebackers carry the deep route, and finishes with the checkdown to the RB in the flat if both crossers are covered.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth at the snap: if they step up hard on the play-action fake, the shallow drag and deep crosser both have room to work behind them. Key the middle linebacker or any user-controlled defender sitting in a lurk position over the crossers, since that is the primary threat to this concept and will bait a checkdown to the RB. Man coverage with press corners on the bunch is where this play hits hardest, since the crossers create natural rub traffic that separates from man defenders. Cover 3 zone defenders with deep third responsibilities can undercut the deep crosser late, so timing the throw before the flat defender and deep third rotate is critical. Heavy blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge can beat this play before routes develop, so identify overload blitz looks pre-snap and be ready to get the ball out quickly to the RB in the flat as your hot read.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs (first or second and medium) when defenses are still respecting the run out of Singleback personnel, since the play-action fake needs run fear to freeze the second level. Check the middle of the field pre-snap: if you see a single high safety, expect man coverage underneath and target the deep crosser against a linebacker mismatch. If it is two high safeties, the shallow drag becomes the more reliable read since zone defenders will sit and squeeze the deep crosser. Hot route the backside vertical clear-out into a deep dig or comeback if you are facing Cover 3 to give yourself a true zone beater on the far hash. Pair this play with PA Post Dig or PA Deep Cross Go in your play-calling sequence so the defense has to respect multiple crossing and post concepts off the same play-action fake, then mix in HB Dive or HB Zone Wk from the same set to keep the run fake honest.
