Playbooks

HB Off Tackle

Shotgun·Bunch TE·11
Off TackleRun Play
Play diagram for HB Off Tackle from Shotgun Bunch TE in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

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Breakdown

HB Off Tackle out of Shotgun Bunch TE is a downhill run play designed to hit the edge just outside the tackle box. The offensive line blocks down with double team combinations at the point of attack while the tackle and TE seal the edge, and the HB reads the alley for a cutback lane against overpursuing defenders. This is a run play, not a man or zone beater in the passing sense, and the primary read progression for the ball carrier is to press the hole off tackle first before bouncing outside if the edge gets sealed or cutting inside if the linebackers flow too hard.

Defensive Reads

Check the strong side defensive end and outside linebacker alignment pre snap, if they are crashing down hard on the bunch this play can bounce outside for a big gain. Watch for a Mike linebacker blitz or run fit that fills the off tackle gap immediately, which is the biggest counter to this play and should trigger a cutback read. Man coverage shells with press corners on the bunch receivers often mean fewer underneath defenders, which opens easier running lanes since the second level is thinner. Zone coverage with linebackers sitting flat footed in their drops signals a good cutback opportunity since flow to the play side will be slower. User controlled defenders flying downhill from a safety spy or contain rush on the play side edge will shut down the off tackle lane, so respect the cutback if you see a defender sprinting toward the mesh point before the handoff even completes.

Usage Tips

Attack light boxes with six or fewer defenders in the box, especially against nickel and dime packages that show two high safeties pre snap.

Use the bunch alignment to disguise run intent since defenders often key on TE and receiver spacing to diagnose run versus pass.

Hot route the bunch TE into a fake stalk or leave him in as an extra blocker against edge defenders who crash hard on run downs.

Pair this with Bunch Levels or Mesh from the same formation to keep defenses honest, since both plays start with the identical bunch look and force linebackers to respect play action.

Best called on second and short or first and ten to stay ahead of the chains, and avoid it against stacked eight man boxes with linebackers sitting under five yards of depth.

Other Plays in Bunch TE