Playbooks

PA Read

Shotgun·Ace Offset·12

Play Action Pass Play Comeback Deep Cross Crosser Post

Play diagram for PA Read from Shotgun Ace Offset in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetAce Offset

Personnel

121 RB · 2 TE · 2 WR

In 2 playbooks

Balanced Pass OffenseOffense Franchise Offense 4thsunofoctOffense

Breakdown

PA Read out of Shotgun Ace Offset is a play-action shot play built off a run fake to hold the linebackers before releasing four receivers into a vertical stretch. The diagram shows the outside receiver breaking off a deep post (yellow), the slot on that side running a shorter dig into the middle of the field, the backside TE releasing on a corner route (red) that pushes to the sideline, and the running back checking out of the backfield into a flat route (blue) as the fifth option. The primary read progression starts with the backside corner route against single high safeties, works to the deep post/dig combo if the safety rotates over the top, and checks down to the flat route against underneath zone drops or a hard blitz.

Defensive Reads

Watch for two deep safeties pre-snap. Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells force you to work the underneath flat and dig routes instead of pushing the post and corner deep. Key the flat defender post-snap. If a linebacker or slot corner sits in the flat zone, the checkdown to the running back gets taken away and you need to climb the ladder to the dig or post. Identify Cover 3 or single high shells before the snap since the corner route to the TE has a natural window against the flat/curl to hook defender. Watch for a blitz off the edge. If the offensive line is outnumbered on the play-action protection, get the ball out fast to the flat or dig rather than holding for the deep shots. Look for user linebackers spying the play-action fake. If they stay home instead of biting, the underneath routes get clogged and the deep post becomes your best answer.

Usage Tips

Sell the run fake by holding down the play-action button long enough to freeze linebackers before your first read develops.

Use this on early downs (1st and 10, 2nd and short) so defenses respect the run action and bite on the fake, opening the deep post and corner routes.

Check the safety alignment pre-snap. If you see two high safeties, hot route the flat route to a deeper option since the underneath defenders will sit and the corner route has room to work.

Against man coverage, prioritize the deep post since it stresses a defender who has to run through the play-action wash.

Pair this with Read Option and Inside Zone from the same set earlier in a series so the defense keys run action, then hit them with PA Read once linebackers start creeping up to stop the run.