Playbooks

PA Boot Scissors

Singleback·Deuce Close·12
Play ActionScissorsPass PlayCover 2 BeaterCover 4 BeaterCornerDeep CrossCrosserFlatPost
Play diagram for PA Boot Scissors from Singleback Deuce Close in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationSingleback

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Breakdown

PA Boot Scissors runs a play-action bootleg out of Singleback Deuce Close 12 personnel, selling run action to the play side before the QB rolls out. The route concept is a true scissors cross at the second level: one TE runs a deep crossing route while the other TE breaks toward the corner, crossing paths to create natural traffic against man defenders. The X receiver runs a deep out breaking to the boundary and the HB releases on a flat route underneath to give the QB a checkdown on the bootleg. Primary read progression starts with the crossing scissors routes over the middle, then works to the deep out, and finishes with the HB flat as the outlet on the roll.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is in a two-high or one-high safety shell since Cover 2 and Cover 4 are the primary shells this play is designed to beat. Watch linebacker depth at the snap: if they bite hard on the play-action fake, the scissors crossing routes will have wide open throwing lanes underneath the safeties. Key the flat defender on the play side, since a defender sitting on the HB flat route can jump the underneath throw and take away the easy checkdown. Post-snap, look for a user-controlled defender lurking in the middle of the field, as a rover or spy sitting in the scissors crossing lanes can bait the QB into a turnover if the crosses do not get proper separation. This play struggles against disciplined zone defenses that stay deep and sink underneath the crossers, and it can get exposed by a fast defensive end contain rush that collapses the pocket before the QB can set up on the boot.

Usage Tips

Use this play on early downs or manageable third downs where the defense is likely to respect the run fake, since the play action sell is critical to opening throwing lanes.

Check the safety alignment pre-snap: if you see two deep safeties in Cover 2, target the scissors crossing routes since the crossing action naturally clears out the underneath zone defenders and attacks the seams between the corners and safeties.

Against Cover 4, look for the deep out from the X receiver since it sits in the void between the flat defender and the deep quarter defender.

If the defense shows man coverage pre-snap, prioritize the scissors cross because the natural rub created by the crossing TEs forces defenders to fight through traffic, creating separation.

Pair this play with PA Boot Corner Post or PA Boot Slide from the same set to keep the bootleg action consistent, forcing linebackers and safeties to respect multiple boot concepts off similar formation and motion looks.

On the roll, always account for the HB flat as your dump-off if the deep routes are covered, especially against a delayed blitz.

Other Plays in Deuce Close