Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA RZ Crossers is a play-action pass out of Singleback Deuce Close that sells the run fake before releasing three routes into a double crossers concept. The yellow route runs a deep crosser from the left side all the way across the field while the red route works an under crosser going the opposite direction underneath it, and the blue route runs a shallow drag/flat route off the backfield to the opposite sideline. This is a man beater concept, since the crossing traffic creates natural rubs and picks against man defenders, and the primary read progression starts with the deep yellow crosser, moves to the red crosser working the opposite direction underneath, and checks down to the blue flat route as the outlet.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and alignment since two deep safeties often signal Cover 2 or Cover 4, which forces the crossers to be thrown with anticipation into tighter windows. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, shallow linebackers who bite on the play action fake open up the intermediate crossers immediately. Post-snap, identify any user-controlled defender sitting in the middle of the field (a lurk defender) since that player can undercut both the yellow and red crossers if left unchecked. This concept struggles against disciplined zone drops with a robber or spy sitting in the crossing lanes, so avoid this call if you see a defense showing Tampa 2 or a mug look with a deep middle defender. Man coverage with no safety help over the top is where this play thrives, since the natural rub between the crossers forces defenders to fight through traffic.
Usage Tips
Use the play action fake to freeze linebackers before working the crossers, especially against defenses that bite on run keys near the red zone.
Read the deep yellow crosser first against man coverage since it benefits most from the natural traffic created by the red route crossing underneath it.
If the defense shows zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4, work the red crosser into the intermediate window and use the blue flat route as a quick answer against zone drops.
Pair this play with PA Deep Cross or PA X Post Cross earlier in a drive so defenders start keying crossing routes, then hit this concept on a critical down to attack overaggressive underneath defenders.
Best called on second or third and medium in scoring position, since the crossers occupy width and the flat route gives a safe checkdown if the top routes are covered.
