Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
PA TE Cross is a play-action pass out of Singleback Wing Tight that sells the run fake before attacking horizontally with a crossing concept. The TE runs a deep crosser from one side of the formation all the way across the field, while the backside outlet runs a corner route from the wing alignment and the two outside receivers push vertical on go routes to hold the deep safeties. The primary read progression starts with the TE cross working left to right, then bounces to the wing corner route as the underneath check down if the crosser is taken away, with the go routes serving as low percentage shots against man coverage or busted zone drops.
Defensive Reads
Look for man coverage with linebackers stepping up on the run fake, this is the ideal trigger since the TE cross will separate immediately once the defender bites on the play action. Watch for a single high safety rotating hard to the crosser's side, that indicates the defense has scouted this concept and is sitting on the number one read. User controlled linebackers who spy the crosser instead of respecting the run fake will jump the route, if you see a defender hanging in the middle of the field pre-snap without stepping up, be ready to progress to the corner route. Cover 3 with a hard flowing linebacker to the crosser side will clog the throwing lane, look to the corner route on the backside as your zone beater against this shell. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge can disrupt the play action timing, so identify overloaded fronts pre-snap and be ready to get the ball out quickly to the corner route as a hot read.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs when defenses are keying run based on the Wing Tight personnel and heavy formation look, since the play action fake plays off that tendency.
Check the pre-snap safety alignment before the snap: two high safeties tell you the crosser has room to work underneath, while a single high safety means you need to hit the corner route quickly before the rotation closes the window.
Hot route the TE cross to a shallow drag if you are facing an aggressive underneath zone defense that sits on crossers, this keeps the route in front of the sticks and away from lurking linebackers.
Pair this play with HB Inside Zone or 26 Duo earlier in a series to sell the run action harder, then come back to PA TE Cross once the defense starts biting on run fakes from this formation.
Best used on second and short to second and medium, since the play action freezes linebackers who are keying run support and opens the crossing lane.
