Playbooks

Verticals

Shotgun·Bunch Y-Flex·11
Four VertsPass PlayCover 2 BeaterCover 3 Beater
Play diagram for Verticals from Shotgun Bunch Y-Flex in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

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Breakdown

Verticals out of Shotgun Bunch Y-Flex sends four receivers vertically to stretch the field, with the bunch releasing a seam route (red) that angles across the middle while the outside bunch receiver clears out on a corner-vertical stem (gold, top). The backside X runs a vertical up the numbers and the slot from the bunch releases on a quick out breaking away from traffic, giving the quarterback a full-field read. This is a classic four verticals concept built to beat both Cover 2 and Cover 3 by attacking the deep middle hole and the sideline seams simultaneously, with the running back staying in to protect against the blitz. Primary progression starts with the deep seam/post breaking route from the bunch, then works to the backside vertical, and finally checks down to the quick out if the safeties rotate over top.

Defensive Reads

Watch for two deep safeties pre-snap, this usually means Cover 2 and the seam route from the bunch will have the biggest window between the corner and safety. A single high safety indicates Cover 3, so look to drive the ball into the deep middle void where the safety cannot get to both verticals in time. Identify user-controlled defenders lurking in the middle of the field, since a rover or spy sitting on the seam can jump the breaking route and bait a pick six. Man coverage shells with corners playing outside shade leave the bunch releases open on the initial break, so trust the quick out or seam route against man matchups. Heavy blitz packages with five or six rushers force a quicker decision, so key the running back check release and be ready to dump it off if the protection breaks down before the verticals develop.

Usage Tips

Check the safety alignment before the snap, two deep safeties split evenly signals Cover 2 and tells you to attack the seam between them with the breaking route out of the bunch.

If you see a single high safety sitting in the middle of the field, that is Cover 3, so target the vacated flat or hole where the seam route crosses the deep third boundary.

Use the quick out from the bunch as your hot route answer against Cover 2 corners playing hard press since it clears fast and beats a jam.

Pair this play with Curls Y Swirl or Z Shallow Cross in the same set to keep the defense guessing between shallow combo routes and the vertical shot, forcing linebackers to hesitate on their drops.

Best called on early downs or obvious passing situations like second or third and long where defenses are more likely to sit in soft zone shells that Verticals can gash for explosive gains.

Other Plays in Bunch Y-Flex