Playbooks

PA X Curl

I Form·Pro·21

Play Action Curl Pass Play

Play diagram for PA X Curl from I Form Pro in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationI Form

SetPro

Personnel

212 RB · 1 TE · 2 WR

In 6 playbooks

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Breakdown

PA X Curl runs a play-action fake to the HB out of the I Form Pro set, freezing the linebackers before working three routes into a horizontal stretch. The X receiver runs a curl route at the sticks on the left side, the FB releases underneath on a check release into a curl or flare, and the Z receiver on the right runs a deep vertical clear-out to hold the corner and safety. The primary read progression starts with the X curl underneath, then works to the FB check release if the X is covered, using the Z go route as a vertical decoy to open up the middle of the field.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing a single high safety look, since that usually means the corner over the Z will get help over the top and the X curl becomes the primary window. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they crash hard on the play-action fake this play will hit fast on the X curl or FB check release before the defense can recover. Beware of a user controlled linebacker sitting in the passing lane or lurking at the sticks, as that defender can jump the X curl route if the play fake does not sell. Cover 3 zone shells with an aggressive flat defender can undercut the FB release, so be ready to progress to the X curl instead of forcing the checkdown. Man coverage with an inside linebacker matched on the FB is a green light matchup, since the FB should win quickly on the release into open grass.

Usage Tips

Sell the play fake by holding the snap button or letting the animation play out fully before your first read, since the linebackers need to bite on the HB fake for the curl to sit open. Use this on early downs like 1st and 10 or 2nd and medium when defenses are keying run heavy out of I Form personnel. Hot route the FB into a flat route if you are facing man coverage to create an easy pitch and catch versus linebackers who cannot stay in phase. Pair this play in your call sheet with HB Stretch Alert X Lookie or HB Blast Alert Z Lookie so the defense has to respect the run fake after seeing similar backfield action. Against zone coverage, look to the X curl sitting down in the soft spot between the underneath zone and the deep third, since the Z clearout route should occupy the deep defender on that side.