Playbooks

Curl Flats

Shotgun·Ace Offset·12

Curl Pass Play Flat

Play diagram for Curl Flats from Shotgun Ace Offset in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetAce Offset

Personnel

121 RB · 2 TE · 2 WR

In 1 playbook

Balanced Pass OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Curl Flats out of Shotgun Ace Offset shows a two receiver look to each side with the outside receivers running vertical curl routes at roughly ten to twelve yards while the inside slot defender releases to the flat underneath. The blue route out of the backfield runs a check release flat route that mirrors the flat concept on the left, giving you a horizontal stretch on both sides of the field against zone drops. This is a zone beater built on high low reads, and the primary progression starts with the curl to the strongside, works down to the flat underneath it, then works over to the backside curl if the coverage rotates away.

Defensive Reads

Look for a two deep shell pre snap since Curl Flats is designed to sit down in the soft spots of a Cover 2 or Cover 3 zone Watch the flat defender at the snap, if he sprints out to the flat immediately the curl route behind him is open for an easy completion Check linebacker depth before the snap, shallow linebackers signal underneath zone that can jump the flat route and take away the easy completion If the defense shows Cover 3 with a hard flat drop from the corner, expect the curl to be the primary answer since the flat is taken away Man coverage with an overhang defender aligned tight on the flat receiver can jump the route quickly, so identify man alignment pre snap and consider using this as a decoy while attacking elsewhere

Usage Tips

Read the flat defender first because the curl route sits down right behind him and creates an easy pitch and catch if he widens with the flat route

Use this on second and medium or third and short since the routes settle in around the sticks and give you a built in curl flat conflict on the flat defender

Motion the backfield player pre snap to check if the defense shifts into man or stays zone, if a defender follows across the formation you are likely facing man coverage and should look elsewhere

Pair this play with Quick Slants or Z Spot in the same set to attack the same underneath zones with different timing and keep linebackers guessing

Hot route the backside curl into a deeper dig or corner if you consistently see the defense sink both curls into a two deep shell