Playbooks

Drag Slot Fade

Shotgun·Empty Base Trio·11
FadeDragPass Play
Play diagram for Drag Slot Fade from Shotgun Empty Base Trio in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 4 playbooks

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Breakdown

Drag Slot Fade is a five man route concept out of Shotgun Empty Base Trio that isolates the trips side with a fade and drag combo while the backside two receivers run a deep out and a corner route stacked off each other. On the trips side the slot receiver runs a fade up the sideline while the tight end and outside receiver work an inside drag and a shallow crossing route underneath, giving the QB a high low read against man or zone. The backside duo stretches the field horizontally and vertically with a deep out breaking to the sideline and a corner route climbing over the top. The primary read starts with the slot fade for a one on one shot play, then progresses to the drag underneath as the check down against pressure or tight man coverage.

Defensive Reads

Pre snap check corner alignment on the slot receiver, if he is pressed and there is no safety rotating to that side the fade is live and you should jump the route. Key the middle linebacker or nickel defender at the snap, if he sinks deep to cover the drag the underneath crossing route is taken away and the QB will hold the ball longer. Watch for a lurking user controlled defender sitting in the drag route window, this is the most common way to bait a turnover on this concept. Two high safety shells with corners playing outside leverage shut down the fade, force the offense into the drag and out route combo instead. Blitz packages that bring five or six rushers can disrupt the timing needed for the fade to develop, disguise pressure late to force a rushed throw.

Usage Tips

Pre snap identify if the defense is showing single high or two high safeties, the slot fade only wins one on one if there is no safety help rotating over the top.

Against man coverage trust the fade route on a backshoulder throw if the corner presses at the line, the leverage from the drag route occupying underneath defenders opens the sideline.

Against zone coverage look immediately to the drag route working across the middle, it sits in the soft spot between the underneath zone defenders and the deep third.

Use this play on third and medium or third and long when you need a big chunk gain, the fade provides explosive play potential while the drag is a safe checkdown.

Pair this with Slot Fade Cross or Wheel Cross from the same set to keep the defense guessing between fade shots and crossing route combos out of the same personnel look.

Other Plays in Empty Base Trio