Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Cheat Cross is a play-action pass out of Singleback Tight Y Off that hides the run fake before attacking the middle of the field with a deep crosser. The diagram shows the outside receiver running a deep crossing route from one boundary all the way past the opposite hash, the TE running a deep corner/flag route toward the far sideline, and the backside receiver plus the RB running short check down routes near the line to hold underneath defenders. The primary read progression starts with the deep crosser working across the field, then works to the corner route if the safety bites on the crosser, and finally checks down to the flat or RB route if both are covered.
Defensive Reads
Check the safety depth before the snap, if both safeties are sitting shallow expecting run support the deep crosser and corner route both have big play potential. Watch the flow of linebackers after the play-action fake, if they bite hard downhill on the run fake the middle of the field opens up for the crosser to run untouched. Identify Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells by tracking the deep defenders, the crosser is a strong answer against Cover 3 since it crosses the field behind the underneath zone and in front of the deep third defenders. Beware of a robber or lurk defender sitting in the shallow middle zone, this defender can jump the crosser route if he reads the quarterback's eyes. Man coverage with no safety help over the top is where this play is most dangerous, but a well timed blitz can beat play-action if the offensive line does not have extra protection.
Usage Tips
Sell the run fake by pausing on the play-action animation before looking downfield, this freezes linebackers and opens the crosser. Use motion pre-snap to identify man coverage, if the defender follows the motion man across the formation you know its man and the deep crosser has a strong chance to separate. Against zone shells with two deep safeties, prioritize the corner route from the TE since the crosser will run into the deep half defender. Pair this play with PA Deep Cross or PA Fk Cheat Flood Crossers earlier in a drive so defenders start jumping the crossing routes, then hit this shot late for the corner route as the counter. Best called on second and medium or early first down when defenses are not expecting a shot play off run action.
