Playbooks

Y Trail

Shotgun·Bunch Open TE·11

Trail Pass Play

Play diagram for Y Trail from Shotgun Bunch Open TE in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetBunch Open TE

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 7 playbooks

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Breakdown

Y Trail out of Bunch Open TE sends both outside bunch receivers on deep vertical routes to clear out the top of the defense while the inside bunch receiver runs a shallow drag across the field underneath. The lone receiver split away from the bunch runs an underneath cross (the trail route) that works back toward the formation, crossing under the drag to create natural rub traffic against man coverage, while the backfield player releases on a flat/wheel route to the boundary as a check down and leverage beater. This is a man beater built on the rub concept, with the primary read progression starting on the trail crosser working opposite the flow, then the shallow drag, then the flat route as the outlet if the crossers are taken away.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing man coverage with corners pressed on the bunch since that is when the trail and drag rub concept is most effective. Watch the single high safety alignment, since a lone deep defender confirms man coverage and tells you the verticals are there to hold that safety while you work the underneath crossers. Post-snap, key any user controlled defender flashing down into the shallow drag lane or the trail route, since a lurking defender there can jump your first read and force you to the flat outlet. Zone coverage with two deep safeties and linebackers sitting on the drag route can shut this down quickly, so be ready to check to the flat or the vertical against soft zone drops. Watch for blitz packages sending extra rushers off the edge, since the flat route release can be delayed by a blitzing corner or linebacker and force a quicker decision to the trail route underneath.

Usage Tips

Look for man coverage indicators pre-snap such as corners lined up tight on the bunch receivers and a single high safety, since the rub concept from the trail and drag routes is designed to create natural separation against man defenders. If you see two deep safeties in a shell, target the shallow drag or the flat route quickly before zone defenders can sink and wall off the crossers. Use motion or a quick glance at the linebacker depth to confirm if a nano blitz is coming, since the flat route can serve as a hot route dump against pressure. This play works well on second and medium or third and short since the drag and flat give you easy access to the sticks even if the verticals are covered. Pair Y Trail with Clearout Z Option or Flood from this same set so defenders that start sitting on the rub concept get punished by the clearout and flood concepts that attack the same bunch look differently.