Playbooks

Spacing

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

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

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Breakdown

Spacing out of Shotgun Bunch sends the bunch receivers into a horizontal stretch: the inside bunch man runs a quick pivot/out to the short flat, the middle bunch receiver settles into a shallow hitch, and the outside bunch receiver releases on a deep out toward the sideline while the backside receiver runs an isolated corner route. The lone running back checks release and swings out to the opposite flat for a checkdown or screen-style outlet. This is a classic zone beater built to attack Cover 3 and Cover 4 by stacking three horizontal levels underneath, with the primary read progressing from the shallow hitch to the flat route and finally to the swing route based on which underneath defender widens or sits.

Defensive Reads

Read the flat defender first, since Spacing is designed to put him in a horizontal bind between the shallow hitch and the flat route. Against Cover 3, look for the corner sinking too deep, which opens the flat and hitch combo underneath for an easy completion. Against Cover 4, the underneath linebacker or nickel defending the short zone is the key defender, if he widens with the flat route the shallow hitch sits wide open. If the defense shows man coverage with a linebacker matched on the swing route, expect a favorable matchup and target the running back in space. Watch for a user controlled defender sitting in the shallow throwing lane, since a disciplined lurk defender can jump the hitch or flat and turn this into a turnover opportunity.

Usage Tips

Presnap identify if the defense is showing Cover 3 or Cover 4, since this concept is built specifically to exploit the flat defender being outnumbered by the three bunch routes.

If the corner over the bunch shows hard outside leverage, hot route the shallow hitch into a speed out to win quicker against a jumped zone.

Use the swing route as your built in checkdown against blitz looks, since it clears late and gives you a safety valve versus nano blitzes or overload pressure.

Pair this play with Bunch Verts or PA Divide Wheels in the same set to keep defenses honest, since both threaten the same bunch alignment with vertical shots that punish teams sitting on the underneath spacing.

Best called on second or third and short to medium, where defenses are more likely to sit in zone shells rather than bring man pressure.

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