Playbooks

Mtn Y Shovel

Shotgun·Doubles Offset Wk·11

Motion

Play diagram for Mtn Y Shovel from Shotgun Doubles Offset Wk in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetDoubles Offset Wk

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 1 playbook

Balanced Pass OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Mtn Y Shovel is a motion-based shovel pass concept out of Shotgun Doubles Offset Wk. Pre-snap motion brings a receiver across to sell the run action, while the offensive line and TE work a slide protection to the play side. The QB looks to hit the shovel target working underneath in the backfield, with a receiver running an out route to the flat as a secondary outlet if the shovel lane is clogged. This is designed as a run-pass hybrid that punishes aggressive box counts and overpursuit on the perimeter, with the shovel as the clear first read and the flat route as the checkdown.

Defensive Reads

Key the linebackers immediately after the snap, since aggressive downhill flow toward the shovel action is exactly what this play is designed to exploit. Watch the motion man pre-snap, if a defender shadows him man to man across the formation, you are likely facing man coverage and can play the shovel action honestly. Spy or user a defender over the shovel lane if you suspect this concept is coming, since sitting in the gap kills the play at the mesh point before it develops. Zone defenses with linebackers sitting in intermediate zones rather than crashing downhill will limit the shovel's effectiveness and force the QB to check down to the flat route. Corner blitzes and edge pressure can disrupt the timing of this play, since the QB needs a clean pocket to read the shovel target before defenders close the passing lane.

Usage Tips

Use the pre-snap motion to identify if the defense is playing man or zone based on whether a defender follows the motion man across the formation.

This play hits hardest against defenses that are crashing down on run fakes or bringing an extra man into the box, since the shovel exploits vacated interior lanes.

Hot route the flat receiver into a quicker option if you are facing a hard corner blitz off the edge, since the shovel lane can get clogged by unblocked defenders.

Pair this play with Mtn QB Blast and Mtn PA Counter Boot in your play-calling sequence to keep the defense guessing between shovel, QB run, and play-action boot off similar formation motion.

Best used on early downs or short yardage situations where defenses are more likely to sell out against the run, since the shovel action punishes linebackers who bite on the mesh point.