Playbooks
Landingzone Return Middle New is a designed kick return play that funnels the return man up the middle of the field behind a wedge blocking scheme. The front line of blockers sets up a lane through the center of the coverage unit, relying on the return man to press the initial wedge before breaking to daylight based on how the kicking team's lanes flow to the ball. This is a return concept rather than a pass or run play from scrimmage, so the primary read progression is: identify the deepest coverage man closing fastest, trust the middle wedge to clear the first level, then cut off the block that springs the longest alley.
Key the outside contain men on the coverage unit first. If they crash hard inside, bounce the return outside the wedge rather than forcing it up the gut. Look for a lurking gunner or safety who avoids the initial wedge block and stays clean. That player is the most likely one to make the tackle if the middle lane collapses. Identify whether the coverage team is running a standard spread return coverage or an all out sprint coverage. Sprint coverage defeats this play quickly since blockers will not have time to form the wedge. Watch the two inside coverage defenders closest to the ball. If they read middle return and squeeze the hole immediately, your return man needs to plant and cut to either sideline before contact. Track the kicker's pursuit angle. A disciplined kicker who takes a proper tackling angle late in the return can be the difference between a short gain and a game changing touchdown, so account for him as the last line of defense.
Call this play when the opposing kicker is booting the ball high and short, since that hang time lets your wedge blockers get set before coverage arrives.
Watch the kicking team's lane discipline before the snap. If they are stacking one side, this middle return concept exploits the natural cutback lane on the opposite hash.
Use your right stick or user control on the return man sparingly on the initial catch. Let the CPU logic set up the blocking wedge and only take manual control once you see a clear crease past the first level.
Pair this play in your kickoff return sequence with Landingzone Return Left or Landingzone Return Right if the opponent adjusts their kickoff placement, since forcing them to guess between middle and edge returns increases your chance of a big gain.
Best used on returns following touchbacks-avoiding kicks or free kicks after a safety, where the coverage unit often has less time to set their lanes, giving the middle return extra room to develop.