Playbooks

Under Smoke

Quarter·1-3-7·Big Quarter 1-3-7

Blitz Safety Blitz

Play diagram for Under Smoke from Quarter 1-3-7 in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationQuarter

Set1-3-7

Personnel

Big Quarter 1-3-7DTSAMMIKEWILL4 CB2 FSSS

In 4 playbooks

3-4 DefenseDefense Sim 3-4 DefenseDefense Superstar Man DefenseDefense Superstar Zone DefenseDefense

Breakdown

Under Smoke is a safety blitz out of the Quarter 1-3-7 set that brings a defender from depth off the hash to attack downhill through the box. The diagram shows four underneath defenders crashing hard: two square defenders and the blitzing safety funneling straight down the middle, while the two X defenders on the edges cross paths to create a natural pick against interior blockers. With only shallow underneath coverage shown and no deep route responsibility drawn, this is a pressure package designed to disrupt quick game and force the quarterback into a hurried decision, so the primary read is simply getting the extra rusher home before protection can adjust.

Defensive Reads

Watch for the running back to check release into the crossing underneath defenders, since that is the primary answer offenses use to slow this blitz down. Key the offensive line splits pre-snap, since wide splits or a shotgun spread look tells you the blitz lanes shown in the diagram will hit clean. This play beats hot route sight adjustments and quick game concepts that rely on the quarterback getting the ball out in under two seconds. Man beater route combos with deep verticals or comebacks can exploit this if your crossing defenders are late getting depth, so time the blitz to hit as the quarterback hits his top step. Screen plays and RPOs with bubble or tunnel screens will gash this blitz, so if you see receivers stacked or bunched pre-snap consider checking to a different call in the set like Cover 2 Spy instead.

Usage Tips

Call Under Smoke on early downs or third and medium when you expect a quick pass or shotgun run, since the crashing safety and crossing underneath defenders are built to blow up plays before they develop.

Check the offensive formation pre-snap for empty or spread sets with no fullback or extra blocker, since this blitz is most effective when there is one less body to pick up the extra rusher.

Use pre-snap motion adjustments sparingly here, since the strength of this play is the disguise, showing a two-high shell out of Quarter and then bringing the safety late.

Pair Under Smoke with Cover 3 Mable or Cover 4 Drop from the same 1-3-7 set so quarterbacks cannot key blitz versus coverage based on your presnap alignment.

If the crossing underneath defenders get picked off by a running back check release, be ready to spam this look again next series once the offense settles into their protection rules.