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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 risk{
"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
}
}