Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Deep Cross out of Singleback 12 personnel sells play action off the run fake before the QB works through his progression. The deep cross (yellow route on the left slot) sits at the top of its route stem and breaks flat across the field underneath the deep crosser, while the blue route runs a deep dig across the middle from the backside, clearing out underneath zones as it crosses the field at depth. A third receiver runs a short out to the sideline underneath, giving the QB a quick outlet if the play action does not open the middle of the field. This is a play-action deep cross concept built to beat man coverage by picking off defenders on the crossing routes, with the primary read progressing from the deep crosser to the underneath crossing route and finally to the sideline out route as the checkdown.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify the safety alignment first since a single-high safety indicates man coverage or cover 3, both of which this deep cross concept is designed to exploit. Watch cornerback depth and technique at the line, since press man alignment signals the crossers will draw picks and create natural separation as they cross the field. Post-snap, key the middle linebacker and any user-controlled defender dropping into a lurk position in the deep middle, since a rat in the hole can jump the deep crosser or dig route before it clears the formation. Two deep safeties pre-snap, cover 2 or cover 4, is the shell that shuts this play down hardest since it caps the deep crossing routes and forces you into the underdeveloped out route as your only answer. Watch for edge pressure or a nano blitz off the play action fake, since the extra time needed for the crossers to develop makes the quarterback vulnerable if the offensive line does not account for overload blitzes on the play fake.
Usage Tips
Use this out of run-heavy personnel like 12 personnel to keep linebackers and safeties honest on the play action fake, especially on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage. Check for single-high safety shells pre-snap since the deep crosser and dig combo work best against man coverage or cover 1 and cover 3 looks where defenders have to run with receivers across the field. If you see cover 2 or cover 4 with two deep safeties, be ready to work the underneath out route quickly since the deep crosser may get squeezed by the deep half safety. Hot route the sideline out into a shallow drag if you are facing heavy zone drops underneath to give yourself a faster completion window against zone beaters. Pair this play in sequence with Quick Slants or PA Flood to keep the defense guessing between quick game and shot plays off similar formation and personnel looks.
