Playbooks

RZ PA Crossers

Singleback·Wing Close·12

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FormationSingleback

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Breakdown

RZ PA Crossers is a play-action red zone concept out of Singleback Wing Close 12 personnel that hinges on a play fake to hold the linebackers before releasing two crossing routes that work over the middle in front of or behind zone drops. The tight ends and receivers cross paths at different depths to create natural rub separation against man coverage while settling into soft spots against zone shells in tight red zone spacing. The primary read progression starts with the underneath crosser working the shallow to intermediate window, then works to the opposite crosser breaking behind it, and ends with the fullback or backside checkdown out of the play fake if both crossers are taken away by a robber or rat linebacker.

Defensive Reads

Identify single high versus two high safeties pre-snap, since single high alignments often signal man coverage that lets the crossers gain rub separation. Watch the middle linebacker or rat defender depth immediately after the play fake, since a defender sinking into the crossing lanes signals a robber or Tampa 2 concept that will undercut the first crosser. Key the cornerback press alignment on the crossing receivers, since press man coverage without safety help over the top is the easiest matchup to exploit with the rub created by the crossing routes. Recognize Cover 3 zone drops by watching if the underneath defenders open their hips to run with the crossers or sit in their zone, since sitting defenders will squeeze the throwing window and force a check to the fullback outlet. Be alert for a blitz off the edge during the play-action fake, since Wing Close's extra tight end helps protection but a delayed linebacker blitz can still collapse the pocket before the crossers clear their initial breaks.

Usage Tips

Call this play inside the 20 when the field compresses and the crossing routes get natural rub help against man coverage in tight spaces.

Check the middle linebacker depth pre-snap since a linebacker sitting shallow in the box signals a robber technique that will jump the first crosser.

Hot route the backside crosser into a shallow drag if you see two deep safeties staying high, since that removes the risk of the play-action fake getting read and the linebackers sitting on the crossers.

Pair this with Mtn Corndog Mesh or PA Cross Y Delay in the same drive to keep defenders guessing between mesh concepts and delayed crossers, since both rely on similar play-action footwork but attack different levels.

Use motion or a hard count to bait linebackers into showing blitz or man leverage before the snap, then attack the vacated crossing lane immediately off the play fake.

Avoid calling this on third and long against Cover 2 Man since the underneath linebackers can sit on the crossers with safety help over the top.

Other Plays in Wing Close