Playbooks

Curl Combo

Shotgun·Doubles Y-Flex·11

Curl Pass Play Flat Swing

Play diagram for Curl Combo from Shotgun Doubles Y-Flex in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetDoubles Y-Flex

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 4 playbooks

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Breakdown

Curl Combo out of Shotgun Doubles Y-Flex is a route combination built around three levels of separation on the right side of the field, with the backside receiver running an isolated deep in route across the field. The outside receiver at the top runs a vertical release that breaks back to the sideline (the number 1 read shown in red), the slot receiver runs a short out or flat route working underneath, and the inline TE runs a curl that sits down in the intermediate zone, while the backside X breaks in on a deep dig-style crosser. There is no visible pass protection tag or run action in the diagram, confirming this is a straight dropback pass designed to attack zone coverage by stacking three routes to one side, with the primary read starting on the vertical breaking route before working down to the curl and flat underneath.

Defensive Reads

Presnap check safety depth and corner alignment on the strong side, since two deep safeties playing off usually signals zone coverage that lets the curl and flat combo work underneath Watch the slot corner and outside linebacker at the snap, if they both sink into deep zones without covering the flat, that route is open immediately for an easy completion Key the middle linebacker or nickel defender assigned to the curl area, if he bails deep or gets pulled by the vertical route, the curl sits wide open for the quarterback Against man coverage, look for a safety rotating late to help over the top of the vertical breaking route, since that indicates a possible bracket coverage that shuts down the number 1 read Beware of a disguised blitz where the linebackers show blitz then drop into the underneath zones, since this can bait a quick throw into a sitting zone defender for a turnover If the defense runs Cover 2 with press corners, the flat route can get jammed at the line, so be ready to progress quickly to the curl or the backside crosser instead

Usage Tips

Presnap identify whether the defense is showing two high safeties or a single high shell, since this concept thrives against zone coverage that has to distribute defenders across three route levels on the strong side

If the defense shows Cover 3 or Cover 4 with off corners, target the curl sitting down in the intermediate zone because it settles in the soft spot between the underneath zone defender and the deep defender

Use the flat route as a quick answer against a hard blitz or when the defense brings extra rushers, since it clears out fast and gives a checkdown option before the pocket collapses

Hot route the backside dig into a hitch or a slant if you see man coverage with no safety help over the top, since the crosser can get picked off by a robber technique defender sitting in the middle of the field

Pair this play with Curl Flats or Stick from the same set to keep the defense guessing between full field curl combos and quicker underneath answers, forcing linebackers to widen their drops

This play works best on second and medium to second and long, giving the quarterback time to work through the three level progression without needing an explosive gain immediately