Playbooks

Spacing Switch

Shotgun·Deuce Close·12
SpacingPass PlayCover 3 BeaterCover 4 BeaterCurlFlatHitchSwing
Play diagram for Spacing Switch from Shotgun Deuce Close in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 24 playbooks

49ers OffenseOffenseBrowns OffenseOffenseChargers OffenseOffenseColts OffenseOffenseEagles OffenseOffenseFalcons OffenseOffenseJets OffenseOffenseRedskins OffenseOffenseSaints OffenseOffenseTexans OffenseOffenseTitans OffenseOffenseVikings OffenseOffense

Receiver routes

Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.

See this play with a team's players
PlayerSideRoute
HB1RightSwing
TE2LeftFlat
WR1LeftHitch
WR2RightSmash
TE1RightCurl

Read progression

  1. WR2 right, Smash
  2. TE1 right, Curl
  3. HB1 right, Swing or TE2 left, Flat or WR1 left, Hitch

Breakdown

Spacing Switch out of Shotgun Deuce Close (12 personnel) is a horizontal stretch passing concept built to attack zone coverage with a switch release on the backside. The two receivers to the closed side run a spacing combo (flat and hitch/sit route) while the backside receiver runs a switch release into a corner route with the TE crossing underneath on a shallow drag, and the RB releases to the flat opposite the switch for a five-man route distribution against a max protect look. This is a zone beater first and foremost, effective against Cover 3 and Cover 4, and the primary read progression starts with the underneath shallow crosser working to the flat/spacing side before working back to the switch corner route if a safety is late rotating.

Defensive Reads

Watch the flat defender to the spacing side pre-snap since he must choose between the flat route and the hitch, and any hesitation opens the underneath window for the shallow crosser. Key the backside cornerback and safety leverage on the switch release since a jump in coverage or blown assignment on the switch can spring the corner route wide open. Identify if the defense is running Cover 4 with quarters technique, since the outside cornerback will often sink under the corner route while the safety bites on the switch, creating a natural progression conflict. Look for a Mike linebacker or nickel defender sitting in a hook zone underneath, since he is the primary threat to jump the shallow crosser and force a checkdown to the RB flat route. Against man coverage or blitz looks, expect a lurking defender to sit in the shallow crossing lane, so be ready to move to the RB flat outlet or bail into a scramble drill if the switch release gets clogged.

Usage Tips

Check the middle of the field pre-snap to confirm single high or two high safeties since this concept thrives against Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with defenders sitting in zone drops.

Use the shallow crosser as your first read against Cover 3 since the flat defender and curl defender often widen with the spacing routes, opening a throwing lane underneath.

If the defense shows man coverage, hot route the shallow drag into a speed out or slant to create quick separation since the switch release can get picked off against tight man technique.

This play pairs well with Bench and Mtn Stick in the same set since both use similar route distribution but attack different levels, keeping the defense guessing on shell rotation.

Best called on second and medium or third and short since the quick game timing lets you get the ball out before interior pressure arrives, especially against nano blitz packages.

Other Plays in Deuce Close