Playbooks

Curl Flat

Shotgun·Double Stack·11
FlatCurlCurl FlatPass PlayCover 2 BeaterCover 3 Beater
Play diagram for Curl Flat from Shotgun Double Stack in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

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Breakdown

Curl Flat out of Shotgun Double Stack aligns two stacked receivers to each side with a running back releasing to the flat. The right side stack runs a curl and flat combo, with the outside receiver sitting down on a curl route at intermediate depth while the flat route underneath occupies the corner or hook defender. On the left side the two stacked receivers cross, with one working an over route across the field and the other breaking into a deep corner or dig depending on leverage. The running back stays in to help protect or check release into the flat as a fourth option, and this concept is built as a zone beater against Cover 2 and Cover 3 by stretching the flat defender vertically against the curl sitting behind him. The primary read progression starts with the curl flat combo to the play side, working from flat to curl based on the flat defender's depth, then progresses to the crossing routes on the backside if the initial read is covered.

Defensive Reads

Presnap, check safety depth and count defenders in the box, since two high safeties with a light box usually signals Cover 2 or Cover 4 zone drops that this play is designed to beat. Post snap, key the flat defender's first two steps, if he sinks with the curl route the flat is open, if he jumps the flat route the curl sits down behind him for an easy completion. Watch for a user controlled defender lurking in the curl zone, a common counter is spying the middle hook zone specifically to jump the curl route, so be ready to check the ball down to the flat or backside crosser instead. Man coverage with press corners on the stacked receivers is the biggest threat to this concept, since the natural pick or rub at the stack can get flagged or blown up by aggressive man defenders, so audible to a quick game concept if you see Cover 0 or Cover 1 press presnap. Blitz heavy fronts with man coverage behind them force a fast decision, so have the running back check release into the flat as a checkdown against exotic pressure looks.

Usage Tips

Use this play on second and medium or third and short to medium when you expect zone coverage rather than tight man situations.

Presnap, identify the flat defender's alignment on the play side stack because his depth dictates whether you throw the flat route or sit the ball into the curl behind him.

If the defense shows two deep safeties presnap, expect Cover 2 and prioritize the curl route sitting in the honey hole between the flat defender and the deep half safety.

Hot route the backside crosser into a deeper dig or corner route if you anticipate Cover 3 sinking underneath, since that stretches the flat defender's zone drop.

Pair this play with Four Verticals and Smash from the same set to keep defenses honest, since Curl Flat punishes zone drops while those two attack man coverage and deep halves.

Other Plays in Double Stack