Playbooks

Return PA Middle Divide

Pistol·Y Off Trips·11

Play Action Motion Pass Play

Play diagram for Return PA Middle Divide from Pistol Y Off Trips in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationPistol

SetY Off Trips

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 2 playbooks

Chargers OffenseOffense NFL Live Chargers OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Return PA Middle Divide is a play-action pass out of Pistol Y Off Trips that uses a divide concept to split the deep middle of the field. Off the play fake, the two inside receivers from the trips side split vertically with a deep post and a deep corner/flag while the backside single receiver runs a deep out breaking route, creating a true triangle stretch on any single high safety. The primary read progression starts with the vertical seam runner splitting the safety, then works to the deep corner breaking route away from him, and finally comes back to the backside out route as the checkdown against zone drops or coverage rotation.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap identify single high versus two high shells, this play is designed to punish single high man or zone coverage because the divide concept forces one deep safety to choose between the seam and the corner route. Watch cornerback alignment on the trips side, if they are playing outside leverage with no safety help over the top the deep corner route will win against man coverage. Post-snap key the middle linebacker's drop, if he sinks hard to the seam or spies the quarterback on the play fake it confirms the defense respects the run action and the deep routes should be open behind him. Look for user controlled safeties sitting in a robber or lurk technique in the middle of the field, since this is the primary defender who can jump the seam route and blow up the entire progression. Cover 2 shells with two deep safeties splitting the field are the toughest matchup for this concept because both vertical routes run into help, so be ready to check down to the backside out route or move to a different play call against that shell.

Usage Tips

Use this out of Pistol on early downs when linebackers are keying run action off the RPO menu you have called earlier in the series, since the play fake sells hardest against teams that have been biting on inside zone or HB dive looks. Motion pre-snap to identify if the defense is in man or zone, if the corner follows the motion man across the formation you are in man coverage and can trust the deep seam winning over the top. Hot route the backside out breaking route into a deeper comeback against teams sitting soft zone shells so it does not get undercut by an underneath zone defender sitting at the sticks. This is a shot play best called on first and second and long or in two minute situations where you need an explosive gain, not a third and short down and distance. Pair it in a sequence with HB Dive and RPO Glance Post from the same set so the defense respects the run action and bites on linebacker fits, which opens the vertical divide routes even wider on the following snap.