Playbooks

Cluster Bunch

Shotgun·Cluster·11

Pass Play Flood Go Out Flat Corner Man Beater Cover 3 Beater

Play diagram for Cluster Bunch from Shotgun Cluster in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetCluster

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

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Breakdown

Cluster Bunch is a Shotgun bunch formation flood concept that stresses one side of the field with four vertical stems stacked on top of each other. The outside receiver runs a Go route up the sideline, the slot receiver breaks off a Corner route underneath it, the third bunch receiver hits a quick Out to the flat, and the backside receiver runs an Out from the far side of the formation while the RB releases into a Flat route from the backfield. This is a man beater and Cover 3 beater built to create natural picks at the release point, with the primary read progression working from the deep Go route to the Corner, then working down to the Flat and Out routes underneath as coverage rotates.

Defensive Reads

Check the corner and safety alignment over the bunch presnap, if the corner is aligned outside with a safety rotated over the top expect Cover 3 or Cover 4 shell. Watch linebacker depth at the snap since shallow linebackers signal man coverage responsibilities on the Flat and Out routes. If the flat defender jumps the underneath Out or Flat route immediately, the Go and Corner combo behind him should be wide open against a blown zone leverage. Look for user controlled defenders sitting in a lurk position in the shallow flat or hook zone, since this play's underneath routes are exactly what lurk defenders bait quarterbacks into throwing. Against man beaters watch for a blitz off the backside since the bunch releases can create momentary confusion in pass protection, so account for late arriving edge pressure before committing to the deep read.

Usage Tips

Presnap identify whether the defense is playing man or zone by checking if defenders align tight on the bunch or bail into zone drops off the snap.

Against man coverage the natural rub from the stacked releases creates instant separation, so trust the Go or Corner route early since defenders often get picked or hung up.

Against Cover 3 or zone shells work the underlying Flat and Out routes since the flood to one side overloads the zone defender's landmarks and forces a hole in the middle third.

Use this play on 2nd and medium or 3rd and short to medium since the quick game underneath gives a safety valve if the deep shots are covered.

Pair Cluster Bunch with Verticals or Z Spot in the same set to keep defenders guessing between four verticals stress and quick spacing concepts out of the same bunch look.