Playbooks

PA Post Cross

Singleback·Deuce Close·12

Play Action Post Crosser Pass Play

Play diagram for PA Post Cross from Singleback Deuce Close in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationSingleback

SetDeuce Close

Personnel

121 RB · 2 TE · 2 WR

In 2 playbooks

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Breakdown

PA Post Cross runs out of Singleback Deuce Close with 12 personnel, using the play fake to hold the linebackers before attacking downfield. The outside receiver runs a deep post that clears the middle of the field, while the inside route breaks flat then works vertically before cutting across the field on a deep crosser that stresses zone drops. Underneath, a check release man works the shallow flat as the checkdown while the other flanker runs a shallow drift to the opposite side, giving this concept both a man beating double move up top and a zone beating crosser sitting behind linebackers. The primary read starts with the post, then works to the deep crosser, and comes down to the flat route as the outlet if both are covered.

Defensive Reads

Watch the middle linebacker depth at the snap. If he steps up hard on the run fake, the post and crosser both have running room behind him. Identify single high versus two high safety look before the snap. Single high means the crosser has more window since only one deep defender can help, two high means the post has to beat a corner one on one with less safety help over the top. Post snap, track any user controlled defender sprinting to a lurk spot in the crosser's lane, since a heads up user linebacker sitting in that window is the main threat to this concept. This play struggles against a hard cover 3 buzz where the flat defender sinks under the crosser and the deep third defender stays disciplined on the post, so be ready to check down to the flat route immediately. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge shorten the quarterback's window before the post and crosser develop, so recognize overload blitzes pre-snap and lean on the quick flat route as a built in answer.

Usage Tips

Sell the run fake by holding the play action animation out, since safeties biting on the run open up the post immediately for a big shot play.

Use this on early downs like first or second and medium when defenses are more willing to bring linebackers into run fits, since that creates the seam for the crosser.

Check safety alignment before the snap. Against a single high safety, prioritize the deep crosser working away from that safety's help. Against two high shells, hunt the post if the corner bites on the underneath route.

Hot route the flat receiver into a quick out or speed out against man coverage if you need a faster outlet than the drift route provides.

Pair this with PA Deep Cross or PA X Post Cross in the same set so linebackers cannot key on crosser depth, then mix in PA Boot Corner Post to keep the defense honest on the post shot.