Playbooks

PA Verts

Shotgun·Ace Slot Offset·12
Play ActionFour VertsPass PlayCover 2 BeaterCover 3 Beater
Play diagram for PA Verts from Shotgun Ace Slot Offset in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 6 playbooks

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Breakdown

PA Verts out of Shotgun Ace Slot Offset (12 personnel) sells the play fake before releasing four vertical stems that stretch the field top to bottom. The two outside receivers push straight up the sideline as clear out verts, while the two inside routes (one red, one yellow) angle inside before turning upfield to attack the seams and split the safeties. This is a play-action shot play designed to beat both Cover 2 and Cover 3 by overloading zone drops with four deep threats, and the primary read progression starts with the seam route that breaks open first against two high safety rotation, then works outside to the boundary vert if the safety commits underneath.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify single high versus two high safety alignment, this concept is most explosive against two high shells since it forces both safeties to choose which vert to help on. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they bite hard on the play action fake it opens up the inside seam route immediately for a big gain. Post-snap, track any user controlled defender dropping into a deep third or spying the seam, that lurk defender is the primary threat to this concept and will jump the inside route if you telegraph it. This play struggles against a disciplined Cover 4 or Cover 6 shell where corners can stay on top of the outside verts and safeties keep depth on the seams without biting the play fake. Man coverage with press corners and no play action freeze can also shut this down quickly since the seam routes have to fight through contact before turning upfield.

Usage Tips

Check pre-snap for two high safeties, this play is built to punish Cover 2 and Cover 3 shells where the seam routes split the safeties before they can get depth.

Use the play fake to freeze linebackers, especially if you have called run plays like Inside Zone or HB Punch earlier in the drive to sell the run threat.

Read the safety over the seam route first, if he bites on the play fake or sits shallow, throw the seam route before the corner routes clear.

Save this for medium to long yardage situations on early downs where defenses are more willing to sell out against the run, since play action loses value on third and long.

Pair this call with RPO Alert Bubble or RPO Zone Alert Bubble earlier in a series to condition the defense into cheating up on run keys, then punish them with this shot play.

Other Plays in Ace Slot Offset