Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Scissors is a play-action pass out of Strong I with the Y Off Close tight end alignment, built around a true scissors concept on the backside. Off the play fake, one receiver runs a deep corner route while a crossing route underneath cuts opposite for the scissors effect, and the frontside boundary receiver runs a deep post that stretches the far safety while a flat route underneath occupies the outside defender. A running back releases into a check release path in the middle of the field as the underneath outlet. This is a play-action shot play designed to punish Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells by attacking the seams and corners once the deep safeties bite on the run fake, with the primary read starting on the post-corner scissors combo before working down to the check release back.
Defensive Reads
Read the safety depth before the snap, if both safeties sit at 10 to 12 yards deep and split the field evenly that is Cover 2 and the post route becomes the priority throw. Watch for safeties rotating late into a quarters shell, since Cover 4 defenders who stay deep and disciplined can take away the corner route and force the quarterback to check down. Key the flat defender and the underneath linebacker who covers the crossing route, since a hard squeeze by a user controlled defender on the scissors crosser can jump the throwing lane and bait an interception. Beware of a robber or lurk defender sitting in the middle of the field, as this play concept leaves the crossing route vulnerable to a user-controlled defender sitting underneath and reading the quarterback's eyes. Man coverage with press corners and no deep safety help is where this play struggles most, since the post and corner routes lose their leverage advantage without a shell to attack, making blitz packages with man coverage behind them the best answer to this concept.
Usage Tips
Sell the play fake by holding the snap animation and letting the run action develop before dropping into your throwing pocket, since defenders keying the backfield will bite on the HB Blast or HB Blunt Dive look from this same set.
Use this play on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage so the play-action freeze is believable and safeties respect the run threat.
If you see two deep safeties pre-snap indicating Cover 2, prioritize the post route since it splits the safeties and the corner route has room to sit down before the deep half arrives.
Against Cover 4 shells with safeties showing quarters depth, lean on the scissors crossing action underneath since the corner route can pull a safety out of his deep quarter and open a passing lane.
Pair this play in your call sheet with HB Blast or Mtn Counter Solid from the same Y Off Close set to keep linebackers and safeties honest on run action before dialing up PA Scissors as a change of pace shot play.
