Playbooks

Cheat Flood

Shotgun·Bunch Wide·11
FloodMotionPass PlayCover 3 Beater
Play diagram for Cheat Flood from Shotgun Bunch Wide in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 2 playbooks

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Breakdown

Cheat Flood is a classic three level flood concept out of Shotgun Bunch Wide, built to overload one side of the field vertically. Pre-snap motion adjusts the bunch alignment before the ball is snapped, then the backside receiver runs a deep vertical stem while the bunch releases into a corner route, a flat route, and a shallow crosser underneath, stacking three defenders in one zone. The isolated receiver on the numbers works an out breaking route as a hot beater against blitz, while the backside vertical stresses single high safeties and Cover 3 rotation. This is a zone beater first and foremost, with the primary read progression flowing from the deep corner route to the flat, then checking down to the shallow crosser if the flood is capped.

Defensive Reads

Read the deep safety alignment before the snap, a single high safety in the middle of the field signals Cover 3 or Cover 1, both of which the flood concept is designed to punish on the bunch side. Watch the flat defender post snap, if he sinks with the corner route the underlying crosser and flat routes will be wide open, if he stays low the corner route wins over the top. Key the cornerback aligned over the isolated receiver, if he plays outside leverage in press or bail technique the out breaking route becomes an easy completion versus man coverage. Check for defenders trailing the motion man across formation, this confirms man coverage and tells the quarterback to prioritize the crosser and flat as natural rub route winners. Beware disguised two high shells that rotate late into Cover 4, a good deep third defender can sit on the corner route and squeeze the window, making the flat and crosher the safer progression reads.

Usage Tips

Use the pre-snap motion to identify if the defense is playing zone or man, a defender following the motion man across the formation confirms man coverage and opens up the crosser as a natural pick route.

Attack this concept versus Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells since the three level flood on the bunch side overloads the flat defender and forces the deep third defender to choose between the corner route and the vertical.

Hot route the backside vertical receiver into a shorter comeback or hitch if you see single high safety rotation late, this keeps a quick answer versus Cover 1 robber looks.

Pair this play with Curl Flat or Slot Hook earlier in a series so the defense starts sitting on shorter routes, then hit Cheat Flood off the same motion look to expose a defender cheating underneath.

Best called on second and medium or third and long when you need a explosive gain, the corner and flat combo consistently creates natural picks against zone defenders who cannot cover all three levels.

Other Plays in Bunch Wide