Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Slot Crosses is a play-action pass out of Singleback Spread 10 personnel that sells the run fake before working a crossing route concept underneath a vertical shot. The diagram shows the backside outside receiver running a deep go route up the sideline while the slot receiver on that side breaks off a dig and settles as an intermediate crosser heading the other direction. The frontside outside receiver runs a corner-breaking route upfield and the backside slot receiver cuts across the field on a shallow crosser working opposite the dig. The primary read progression starts with the deep crosser coming across the middle since it is the first route to clear the play-action fake, then works to the dig sitting behind it, and finally to the go route up top if the coverage bites on the shorter routes.
Defensive Reads
Read the safety depth pre-snap, two high shells signal the deep crosser will have a defender waiting to cut the route off once it crosses the middle of the field. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they step up hard on the play-action fake it opens a running lane for the crosser to work across with no immediate underneath threat. Identify man coverage by checking corner alignment, tight press corners on the outside receivers suggest man beaters like the crosser and dig will have natural separation windows off the break. Look for a user-controlled defender sitting in the middle of the field as a lurk threat, this can jump the dig route or the crosser if the quarterback holds the ball too long. Zone blitz packages with a delayed underneath drop can disrupt the shallow crosser's window, so recognize pressure indicators like a linebacker cheating toward the line before the snap.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or in second and medium situations where the play fake carries more weight and linebackers are more likely to step up on the run action.
Check the safety alignment before the snap, single high shells invite the deep crosser to work across the field with room since there is no second deep defender to help over the top.
If you see man coverage indicators like tight press alignment on the outside receivers, hot route the shallow crosser into a speed adjustment to separate faster from a trailing defender.
Pair this play with HB Draw or Mtn HB Draw in the same set to keep linebackers honest on the run fake before dialing up PA Slot Crosses later in a series.
Against teams that sit in zone shells, target the dig route sitting behind the initial crosser since it settles into the soft spot between underneath and deep zone defenders.
