Playbooks

Curl Flats

Shotgun·Empty Base·11
CurlPass PlayFlat
Play diagram for Curl Flats from Shotgun Empty Base in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 7 playbooks

Air Raid Classic OffenseOffenseAir Raid OffenseOffenseJaguars OffenseOffenseMadden OffenseOffenseRedskins OffenseOffenseNFL Live Jaguars OffenseOffenseNFL Live Redskins OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Curl Flats out of Empty Base runs a five man route concept with no running back in the backfield. The two outside receivers run curl routes at roughly ten to twelve yards while the two flanking receivers run flat routes underneath, and the middle slot receiver runs a quick out or pivot route into the void. This is a zone beater designed to attack curl to flat conflict, with the primary read progression starting at the boundary curl route, then working down to the flat if the corner sinks, and finally checking the middle route as a hot outlet against a soft underneath zone.

Defensive Reads

Watch the flat defender at the snap, if he sinks with the curl route the flat route is wide open for an easy pitch and catch. Check safety depth pre-snap, a two high shell with soft corners invites the curl routes to sit down in the soft spot for a chain moving completion. Man coverage with press corners is the toughest matchup for this play since there is no natural rub or pick to create separation on the outside curls. Look for a linebacker spying the middle route, if he widens with the flat you have a natural throwing lane to the sitting curl behind him. Beware of a nano blitz off the edge since Empty Base has no running back to chip, so identify pre-snap blitz alignment and get through your progression quickly.

Usage Tips

Attack Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells since the curl to flat combo forces the flat defender to choose between the underneath flat and the sitting curl route.

Use pre-snap motion or a hot route to convert the middle route into a shallow drag if you see man coverage across the board.

This play shines on third and medium since the curl routes sit down right at the sticks and give the quarterback a high percentage completion.

Pair Curl Flats with Four Verticals or Y Cross in the same set so defenders start jumping the short curl and flat combo, opening up the vertical shots.

Since this is Empty Base with no running back, use quick presnap reads to identify blitz looks and get the ball out fast on the flat route as a built in blitz beater.

Other Plays in Empty Base