Playbooks

Four Verticals

Shotgun·Doubles Y-Flex·11
Four VertsPass PlayCover 2 BeaterCover 3 Beater
Play diagram for Four Verticals from Shotgun Doubles Y-Flex in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

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Breakdown

Four Verticals out of Shotgun Doubles Y-Flex sends both outside receivers straight up the field on vertical routes while the slot receiver runs a seam route up the middle, creating a four man vertical stretch across the width of the field. The Y (TE) releases up the seam on a shorter vertical while the HB stays in to check release before working up the boundary, giving five eligible options against the coverage shell. This is a pure man and zone beater with no play-action or RPO element, and the blocking is a standard five man pass protection with the back available to chip before releasing. The primary read progression starts with the seam route from the slot, then works to the boundary verticals based on which safety rotates, and the HB is the checkdown if the pocket collapses.

Defensive Reads

Check the middle of the field pre-snap for a single high safety versus two high, since Cover 1 and Cover 3 leave the seam vulnerable to a big play if the linebacker cannot get enough depth. Watch the flow of both safeties post-snap, if they bail hard to the numbers you likely have a soft seam window for the TE or slot vertical. Cover 2 shells are vulnerable to the seam route splitting the two deep defenders, so key on the safety depth and width at the snap. Cover 4 or quarters coverage can shut this down if the corners and safeties stay disciplined on their vertical assignments, so look for busted communication or a linebacker who cannot match speed on the seam. Be wary of user controlled lurk defenders sitting in the middle of the field baiting a throw over the middle, and account for blitz packages that could force an early throw before routes fully develop.

Usage Tips

Attack this play on obvious passing downs like second or third and long when defenses lean on two high safety shells. Pre-snap, identify if the safeties are showing Cover 2 or Cover 4, since four verts is designed to flood both deep zones and force a hole in coverage. Hot route the HB into a flat or drag if you diagnose a heavy blitz look, since he is your outlet against pressure. Pair this play with Curl Flats or Stick from the same set to keep the defense honest on shorter zone drops before hitting them with the vertical shot. Use pump fakes or ball placement to influence the deep safety toward one hash, then throw the opposite seam or vertical for a explosive gain.

Other Plays in Doubles Y-Flex