Playbooks

PA Cross

Singleback·Doubles North·11
Play ActionCrosserPass PlayCornerDeep Cross
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.

Quick Reference

FormationSingleback

In 2 playbooks

Franchise Offense BootscootinOffenseMUT KO Offensive Mastermind OffenseOffense

Receiver routes

Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.

See this play with a team's players
PlayerSideRoute
HB1MiddlePass Block
WR1LeftCorner
WR3LeftDeep Cross
TE1RightDeep Corner
WR2RightDeep Cross

Read progression

  1. WR2 right, Deep Cross
  2. WR1 left, Corner
  3. WR3 left, Deep Cross
  4. TE1 right, Deep Corner

Breakdown

PA Cross is a play-action pass out of Singleback Doubles North that sells the run fake before attacking the middle of the field with a deep crossing route. The crosser works from one side of the field to the other at intermediate depth, occupying linebackers and safeties while underneath options settle in the void left by the run fake, making this a strong man beater since the crossing route creates natural rub and separation against man defenders trailing across traffic. Primary progression starts with the deep cross coming across the field, then works down to the underneath drag or flat option if the crosser is blanketed, and finally to any backside vertical or comeback route as a bailout against zone drops.

Defensive Reads

Read the linebacker depth immediately after the snap, if they step up hard on the run fake the crosser will have a clean throwing lane across the middle. Identify any user controlled linebacker sitting in a lurk position over the middle, since this defender can undercut the crossing route and jump the throw if the quarterback stares it down too long. Watch for Cover 3 or Cover 4 zone shells with deep safeties staying home, this coverage forces you to check down to the underneath drag or flat route instead of forcing the crosser into a crowded zone. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge can disrupt the play action timing, so identify pre-snap blitz indicators like walked up safeties or stacked linebackers and get the ball out on the quick option if protection breaks down. Man coverage with no safety help over the top, especially Cover 1 or Cover 0 looks, gets exploited hardest by the crosser since the rub and traffic create natural separation against trailing defenders.

Usage Tips

Use PA Cross on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage after establishing HB Dive or HB Ace Power so the play fake actually holds linebackers and forces them to bite on the run action.

Check the safety alignment before the snap, if you see two high safeties sitting deep, expect zone drops underneath and target the crosser as it clears the linebacker level into the soft spot behind the shallow flat defenders.

Against man coverage with a single high safety, trust the crosser to win through traffic and manipulate the underneath defenders with your quarterback's eyes before releasing the throw.

Hot route the backside receiver into a shallow drag or quick out if you see press man coverage on the crosser's side to give yourself an immediate answer versus aggressive jams.

Pair this play with PA Rollout and Zone Fake Jet in the same series so the defense has to respect multiple run action layers, which slows down linebacker reads and opens up the crosser even more on repeat calls.

Other Plays in Doubles North