Playbooks

PA TE Scissors (20)

Singleback·Wing Slot·12
Play ActionScissorsPass PlayCover 2 BeaterCover 4 Beater

Quick Reference

FormationSingleback

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Breakdown

PA TE Scissors (20) is a play-action passing concept out of Singleback Wing Slot 12 personnel that uses a scissors route combo, crossing dig and corner or post routes from the two tight ends, to attack the seams and deep middle after the run fake sells linebacker aggression. The fake to the HB draws up the second level defenders and safeties, opening throwing lanes for the crossing routes as they clear each other's zones. The primary read progression starts with the scissoring TE breaking to the corner or flag against Cover 2, then works down to the opposite TE working the dig or crossing route underneath if the cornerback sinks with the deep man.

Defensive Reads

Identify two deep safeties pre-snap, this confirms a Cover 2 or Cover 4 shell that the scissors combo is designed to shred through the seam and flat conflict. Watch the flat defender or corner in Cover 2, if he sinks with the corner route the underneath crossing TE should come open in the vacated shallow zone. Key the middle linebacker after the snap, if he bites hard on the run fake the seam window for the deep crossing route opens up immediately behind him. Beware disguised Cover 3 or Cover 1 man looks with a deep half safety cheating to the scissors side, since this can jump the corner route and turn it into a pick six if the quarterback does not recognize the rotation. Watch for a blitzing linebacker off the edge on the play-action side, if the offensive line cannot pick up a hot rusher the quarterback needs a quick checkdown built into the protection to avoid a sack or forced throw.

Usage Tips

Use this play on early downs in run-heavy personnel packages so the play-action fake actually holds linebackers and safeties, since Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells are the primary targets for this concept.

Check the corner alignment pre-snap, if the corners are playing off with two deep safeties you have a Cover 2 or Cover 4 shell and the scissors combo will exploit the seam between the flat defender and deep half safety.

Hot route the backside receiver into a quick out or hitch to give yourself a checkdown if the safety rotates hard to the scissors side, since Cover 2 beaters like this can get picture perfect passing lanes taken away by disciplined safety rotation.

Pair this call with HB Dive or Inside Zone Split from the same set earlier in the drive to get linebackers flowing downhill, which makes the play-action fake on PA TE Scissors far more effective later.

Look to sequence this after PA Y Sail or PA Boot Y Sail (m20) in your play calling script so the defense has to respect multiple play-action shots off similar formations, forcing hesitation from the second level defenders.

Other Plays in Wing Slot