Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Cross Dig Shot is a play-action shot play out of Singleback Wing Slot 12 personnel that fakes the run to hold linebackers before releasing three routes into a deep progression. The play side receiver runs a deep dig that breaks from the far boundary across the middle, the flanker runs an out route sitting underneath at the sticks, and the third receiver runs a crosser that drags flat under the coverage from the opposite side. The primary read progression is the deep dig first since it is the shot route designed to hit against zone drops or man coverage that gets picked, then the crosser underneath as the checkdown if the dig window closes.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and alignment since two deep safeties or a single high safety cheating toward the dig side will tip whether the shot route is live Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they bite hard on the run fake the dig route will have a wide throwing window across the middle Post-snap, identify any user-controlled defender flowing toward the crosser since that route is the first thing a jumping user linebacker will attack Cover 2 with aggressive corners jamming the dig route at the top of its stem can disrupt timing, so be ready to check down to the out or crosser if the dig gets clogged Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge will collapse the pocket quickly, so recognize pressure pre-snap and be prepared to get the ball out on the shorter crosser or out route instead of holding for the deep shot
Usage Tips
Sell the play-action fake by holding the ball on the run animation before your first read, this manipulates linebacker depth on the dig route
Use this on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage since the run fake actually threatens defenses that are keying on early down run tendencies
Against Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells, the dig route sits in the natural hole between the deep third defenders and underneath linebackers, so throw it as soon as the dig crosses the opposite hash
If you see man coverage pre-snap with no safety help over the top, hot route the crosser into a deeper option or look to the dig immediately since man defenders trailing the dig will be a step behind
Pair this play with PA Boot Y Sail or PA TE Scissors from the same set to keep defenses guessing between boot action and this drop back shot, forcing linebackers to respect multiple play-action looks
