Playbooks

Reverse

Shotgun·Bunch·11

Reverse Trick Play Run Play

Play diagram for Reverse from Shotgun Bunch in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetBunch

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 3 playbooks

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Breakdown

Reverse out of Shotgun Bunch is a trick run play designed to get the ball reversed back across the field away from the initial flow. The bunch receivers stack tight to the formation, with the lead runner motioning across the backfield handing off to the second ball carrier who cuts back the opposite direction along the red blocking path shown in the diagram. The play side blockers wall off outside while the ball carrier presses the edge before cutting upfield behind the pulling blocker, and the primary read is to key the frontside flow of the linebackers before the handoff exchange and hit the cutback lane once it opens.

Defensive Reads

Key the backside defensive end and outside linebacker before the snap since they determine whether the cutback lane stays open or gets squeezed. If the defense shows heavy overpursuit to the initial flow side, this reverse hits big because the backside is left unaccounted for. Beware defenses running scrape exchange or crash calls where the defensive end sits and reads instead of chasing flow, as those defenders blow this play up. Watch linebacker depth pre-snap: shallow, aggressive linebackers who bite on run fakes create the cutback window this play needs. Man contain schemes with a spy on ball reversal tend to shut this play down quickly, so avoid calling it into disciplined edge defenses.

Usage Tips

Call this on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage when defenses are keying run action to the strong side. Watch for linebackers flowing hard to the initial motion direction before the snap, as overaggressive flow is exactly what this reversal exploits. Pair this with HB Sweep or Inside Zone earlier in a drive so the defense commits to fast flow reads, then punish that tendency with this reverse for a big cutback gain. Avoid calling this against disciplined defenses that stay home on backside contain or teams that consistently spy the reverse action. Use pre-snap motion to bait linebacker flow and then trust the blocking to develop before committing to the cutback lane.