Playbooks
PA Deep Cross out of Singleback U Off Close (12 personnel) is a play-action shot play built to hit deep crossing routes off run fakes. The play-action fake from a run heavy 12 personnel look freezes linebackers and pulls safeties toward the box before the deep cross develops across the middle of the field, making this a man beater that exploits any leverage or speed mismatch in coverage. The primary read starts with the deep crosser working from the backside, then progresses to the underneath crossing route or flat option if the safety squats on top of the deep route.
Check safety depth before the snap since two high shells with safeties sitting at 10 to 12 yards will have an easier time closing on the deep cross compared to single high looks where the free safety has more ground to cover. Watch for linebackers staying home instead of biting on the run fake, since disciplined linebackers who sink into the crossing route lane can undercut the throw and jump the route for a pick six. Man coverage with no safety help over the top is the ideal shell to attack, especially if the cornerback assigned to the crosser lacks the speed to stay in phase across the field. Look for a user controlled defender lurking in the middle of the field or spying the quarterback, since a smart user play on the deep cross window can bait a costly interception. Zone blitzes or heavy pressure packages can disrupt the timing of this play, so recognize overload blitz alignments pre-snap and be ready to check into the underneath crosser or flat as a hot route answer.
Sell the run fake by holding the play-action animation out fully before looking downfield, since defenders who bite on the fake open up massive throwing lanes for the deep cross. Use this play on early downs like first or second and short when defenses expect Inside Zone Split or HB Dive out of the same personnel and formation, since the run tags in this set condition opponents to jump the fake. Motion a receiver pre-snap or check the play clock to bait linebackers into revealing man versus zone before the snap. Hot route the underneath crosser to a shallow drag if you diagnose a heavy blitz look, giving you a quick outlet against pressure. Pair PA Deep Cross with Escort Power or Motion Zone Toss earlier in a drive to establish the run and make the deep cross hit even harder once defenders start cheating up on run reads.