offense / intermediate pass
A run-action pass that pulls linebackers forward before sending a receiver across the space behind them.
Animated assignment view
The offense preserves its outside-zone posture while the quarterback identifies the backside safety and edge pressure.
Ball: center
How it works
The back and line initially sell outside zone while receivers create a deep crossing progression. The quarterback turns from the fake and reads the cross, post, and flat across three levels.
Convert established run tendencies into intermediate and explosive passing windows.
Carry the fake past the quarterback before checking the edge.
The offense pretends to run, drawing defenders toward the line, then throws behind those defenders to a receiver crossing the field.
The protection and backfield action must mirror the run without releasing linemen downfield; the quarterback's post-fake depth creates the crossing angle.
Decision point
Linebackers stepping toward the fake can open the deep cross, while safety rotation or pressure may redirect the throw.
Lead the crosser behind linebackers displaced by the run fake.
medium riskTarget the post when the crossing route pulls the safety toward the sideline.
high riskCheck down outside when pressure or coverage closes both deep levels.
low riskTake this concept into the film room for a direct explanation. Ask Coach Grant about this concept
{
"schema": "openplay-football",
"schemaVersion": "0.1",
"id": "play-action-cross",
"slug": "play-action-cross",
"name": "Play-Action Cross",
"side": "offense",
"category": "intermediate-pass",
"personnel": {
"id": "twelve-personnel",
"name": "12 Personnel",
"grouping": "1 RB, 2 TE, 2 WR",
"positionCounts": {
"QB": 1,
"RB": 1,
"WR": 2,
"TE": 2,
"OL": 5
}
},
"formation": {
"id": "singleback-tight",
"name": "Singleback Tight",
"family": "under-center",
"strength": "right",
"description": "A condensed two-tight-end formation presents the same initial picture as the core run game."
},
"situationTags": [
"early-down",
"run-pair",
"explosive"
],
"players": [
{
"id": "qb",
"position": "QB",
"label": "QB",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 26.67,
"y": -2
},
"alignment": "Under center",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "quarterback"
},
{
"id": "rb",
"position": "RB",
"label": "RB",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 26.67,
"y": -7
},
"alignment": "Singleback",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "runningBack"
},
{
"id": "x",
"position": "WR",
"label": "X",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 7,
"y": -1
},
"alignment": "Reduced left",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "receivers"
},
{
"id": "u",
"position": "TE",
"label": "U",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 18,
"y": -2
},
"alignment": "Left wing",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "tightEnds"
},
{
"id": "y",
"position": "TE",
"label": "Y",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 35.5,
"y": -1
},
"alignment": "Attached right",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "tightEnds"
},
{
"id": "z",
"position": "WR",
"label": "Z",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 46,
"y": -1
},
"alignment": "Reduced right",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "receivers"
},
{
"id": "lt",
"position": "LT",
"label": "LT",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 21,
"y": -1
},
"alignment": "Line",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "passBlocking"
},
{
"id": "lg",
"position": "LG",
"label": "LG",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 24,
"y": -1
},
"alignment": "Line",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "passBlocking"
},
{
"id": "c",
"position": "C",
"label": "C",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 26.67,
"y": -1
},
"alignment": "Line",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "passBlocking"
},
{
"id": "rg",
"position": "RG",
"label": "RG",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 29.4,
"y": -1
},
"alignment": "Line",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "passBlocking"
},
{
"id": "rt",
"position": "RT",
"label": "RT",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 32.4,
"y": -1
},
"alignment": "Line",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "passBlocking"
}
],
"preSnap": {
"description": "The offense preserves its outside-zone posture while the quarterback identifies the backside safety and edge pressure.",
"shifts": []
},
"assignments": [
{
"id": "rb-fake",
"playerId": "rb",
"startsAtMs": 500,
"endsAtMs": 1500,
"coachingPoint": "Carry the fake past the quarterback before checking the edge.",
"type": "run-path",
"path": [
{
"type": "curve",
"control": {
"x": 31,
"y": -4
},
"to": {
"x": 35,
"y": 1
}
}
],
"aimingPoint": "Outside-zone mesh path"
},
{
"id": "x-deep-cross",
"playerId": "x",
"startsAtMs": 500,
"endsAtMs": 4100,
"type": "route",
"path": [
{
"type": "straight",
"to": {
"x": 10,
"y": 12
}
},
{
"type": "curve",
"control": {
"x": 27,
"y": 18
},
"to": {
"x": 44,
"y": 18
}
}
],
"landmark": "Eighteen-yard opposite hash",
"arrowhead": true,
"readOrder": 1
},
{
"id": "z-post",
"playerId": "z",
"startsAtMs": 500,
"endsAtMs": 4200,
"type": "route",
"path": [
{
"type": "straight",
"to": {
"x": 44,
"y": 12
}
},
{
"type": "straight",
"to": {
"x": 31,
"y": 28
}
}
],
"landmark": "Deep middle clear",
"arrowhead": true,
"readOrder": 2
},
{
"id": "y-flat",
"playerId": "y",
"startsAtMs": 800,
"endsAtMs": 3300,
"type": "route",
"path": [
{
"type": "straight",
"to": {
"x": 42,
"y": 2
}
},
{
"type": "straight",
"to": {
"x": 48,
"y": 6
}
}
],
"landmark": "Right flat",
"arrowhead": true,
"readOrder": 3
},
{
"id": "u-delay",
"playerId": "u",
"type": "check-release",
"check": "Secure the backside edge before releasing to the left flat.",
"releasePath": [
{
"type": "curve",
"control": {
"x": 14,
"y": 0
},
"to": {
"x": 9,
"y": 5
}
}
]
},
{
"id": "line-run-action",
"playerId": "c",
"type": "pass-protection",
"responsibility": "Sell the outside-zone step without crossing downfield before the throw.",
"technique": "Run-action pocket"
}
],
"decisionPoint": {
"id": "read-crossing-levels",
"triggerTimeMs": 2600,
"prompt": "Where did the run fake create space?",
"explanation": "Linebackers stepping toward the fake can open the deep cross, while safety rotation or pressure may redirect the throw.",
"options": [
{
"id": "hit-deep-cross",
"label": "Hit the deep crossing route",
"description": "Lead the crosser behind linebackers displaced by the run fake.",
"intendedRead": "Second-level defenders step forward and the far safety stays deep.",
"riskLevel": "medium"
},
{
"id": "throw-post",
"label": "Attack the post",
"description": "Target the post when the crossing route pulls the safety toward the sideline.",
"intendedRead": "The middle safety widens with the cross.",
"riskLevel": "high"
},
{
"id": "use-tight-end-flat",
"label": "Use the tight end in the flat",
"description": "Check down outside when pressure or coverage closes both deep levels.",
"intendedRead": "The edge is uncovered beneath the secondary.",
"riskLevel": "low"
}
]
},
"timeline": [
{
"type": "pre-snap",
"atMs": 0
},
{
"type": "snap",
"atMs": 500
},
{
"type": "assignment-start",
"atMs": 550,
"playerId": "rb"
},
{
"type": "route-break",
"atMs": 2100,
"playerId": "x"
},
{
"type": "decision-pause",
"atMs": 2600,
"decisionPointId": "read-crossing-levels"
},
{
"type": "ball-release",
"atMs": 3200,
"targetPlayerId": "x"
},
{
"type": "play-end",
"atMs": 5000
}
],
"narrative": {
"summary": "A run-action pass that pulls linebackers forward before sending a receiver across the space behind them.",
"fullExplanation": "The back and line initially sell outside zone while receivers create a deep crossing progression. The quarterback turns from the fake and reads the cross, post, and flat across three levels.",
"strategicPurpose": "Convert established run tendencies into intermediate and explosive passing windows.",
"idealSituations": [
"First down",
"After successful zone runs",
"Against aggressive linebackers"
],
"strengths": [
"Manipulates second-level defenders",
"Creates layered reads",
"Matches core run presentation"
],
"weaknesses": [
"Edge pressure can beat the fake",
"Deep routes require time",
"Disciplined defenders may ignore the action"
],
"keyRead": "Track the linebackers through the fake, then locate the safety responsible for the crossing route's destination.",
"watchFor": [
"The back carrying out the fake",
"Linebackers stepping downhill",
"The crosser emerging behind them"
],
"beginnerExplanation": "The offense pretends to run, drawing defenders toward the line, then throws behind those defenders to a receiver crossing the field.",
"advancedNote": "The protection and backfield action must mirror the run without releasing linemen downfield; the quarterback's post-fake depth creates the crossing angle."
},
"simulation": {
"difficulty": "advanced",
"conceptTags": [
"intermediate-pass",
"play-action",
"deep-cross"
],
"baseSuccessRate": 0.54,
"yardRange": {
"min": -12,
"max": 48
},
"turnoverRisk": 0.038
}
}
Run-pass conflict
Where Play-Action Cross Fits
Play action only works when the run fake tells a believable story. With Play-Action Cross, I want the offense to show the defense the same outside-zone picture it has already seen, pull the linebackers toward the line of scrimmage, and then send a crossing receiver through the space behind them.
That makes this one of my favorite calls after the run game has established a tendency. First down is a natural spot because linebackers are thinking run, the offense can use heavier personnel, and the defense is less certain about what is coming. I also like it against aggressive linebackers who are determined to beat blockers to their run fits.
The fake is not decoration. The back has to carry out the run action, the offensive line has to sell the same initial posture, and the quarterback has to make the exchange look real before turning back to the passing concept. If the second-level defenders do not step downhill, we have not created the advantage we wanted.
The offense still needs protection. These crossing routes take time, and edge pressure can arrive while the quarterback has his eyes on the fake. That is why I am careful against teams with dominant edge rushers or defenses that are blitzing off the run action. A free rusher beats the best play fake in the world.
I want to run this with teams that have a credible zone-running game, a quarterback comfortable turning his back to the defense for a moment, and receivers who understand layered routes. The crosser is often the featured answer, but the post and flat routes matter because they force the deep and underneath defenders to defend different levels.
I am less excited against highly disciplined defenses whose linebackers are reading guards instead of staring at the running back, or safeties that refuse to overreact to the fake. If they stay home, the windows shrink and the quarterback must move through the progression rather than forcing the cross.
A good play-action passing game does not require the offense to average eight yards per carry. It requires the defense to respect the possibility of the run. Once defenders feel responsible for stepping forward, Play-Action Cross can turn that single step into a throwing window behind them.