Playbooks

Spacing

Shotgun·Bunch TE·11
SpacingPass PlayCover 3 BeaterCover 4 Beater
Play diagram for Spacing from Shotgun Bunch TE in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

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Breakdown

Spacing out of Shotgun Bunch TE lines up three receivers tight to one side with a lone receiver split out to the backside. From the bunch, the outside receiver runs a quick hitch to the sideline, the middle receiver sits down on a shallow settle route, and the inside receiver pushes vertical before working to the flat. The backside single receiver runs a mirrored hitch, creating a horizontal stretch with five layered stops that attacks the underneath zones of Cover 3 and Cover 4. This is a classic zone beater built on spacing distribution rather than man leverage, and the primary read progression starts with the backside hitch, then works to the bunch flat route, and finally to the shallow settle in the middle if the zone flows away.

Defensive Reads

Read the flat defender and curl to flat zone defender first, if they widen too aggressively on the bunch hitch the settle route sits wide open underneath Check the backside cornerback depth pre snap, soft press or off coverage on that side signals an easy completion on the single receiver hitch Watch for Cover 3 sky or buzz rotations where the strong safety drops into an underneath window, this can jump both the flat and settle routes if the defense disguises well Cover 4 with aggressive corners playing the hitch routes physically can disrupt timing, so know your quarterback needs to anticipate contact and throw with velocity Beware of a user linebacker sitting in the shallow middle zone, since a smart user rush or spy can jump the settle route if the quarterback holds the ball too long

Usage Tips

Throw this on third and short to third and medium since every route sits at or before the sticks and the ball comes out fast

Identify the flat defender pre snap because if he widens with the outside hitch the middle settle route sits in the vacated window for an easy completion

Use the backside single receiver hitch as your first read against Cover 3 since the corner playing off man or soft zone gives an automatic completion if he does not close fast

Hot route the inside bunch receiver to a deeper option route against Cover 4 if the safety sits low, this turns a stop route into a stick move that beats bracket coverage

Pair this play with Bunch Levels and Mtn Return Flood Stick in your play calling sequence, since defenses that flatten out to jump the quick hitches open themselves up to levels and flood concepts over the top

Other Plays in Bunch TE