Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Curls Y-Shake out of Shotgun Empty Trey lines up with no backfield help, sending the boundary receiver on a vertical release into a curl at the top of the route while the trips side runs a shake concept: the inside slot works a quick out and up into a corner-breaking route, the middle receiver runs a deep in that settles, and the Y (tag receiver at the stem) runs the shake route breaking outside then working back across the field. The single receiver to the weak side runs a curl route with a flat option underneath from the nearest X. This is a man beater built around the Y-Shake concept creating natural separation with its shake move, while the curl on the backside gives a zone beater answer versus soft coverage. Primary progression starts with the Y-Shake receiver working the middle of the field, then works to the backside curl if the shake is taken away, using the flat route as a checkdown against a hard blitz.
Defensive Reads
Key the middle linebacker and any user-controlled defender flowing to the shake route since that route is the primary target and often draws a lurking defender in Madden. Watch for Cover 3 sky or buzz variations because the flat defender and curl defender can squeeze the underneath windows and take away the checkdown flat route. If the defense shows two deep safeties presnap, expect the curl route on the backside to be the first open window since zone defenders will sink under the shake concept. A disguised blitz with a nickel or slot corner crashing off the edge can beat this play before the shake fully develops, so identify hot blitz alignments presnap and consider a hot route adjustment to the running back or a quick throw to the flat. Man coverage with no safety help over the top on the Y-Shake receiver is the biggest indicator this play will hit for a big gain since the double move creates instant separation against trail technique.
Usage Tips
Presnap identify if the defense is showing single high or two high safeties, since Y-Shake thrives against man coverage with its shake move creating a natural pick and separation. If you see Cover 3 or Cover 1 with press corners, prioritize the Y-Shake read first because the double move at the top of the stem beats trailing man defenders. Against zone shells like Cover 2 or Cover 4, work the backside curl route as your first read since it sits down in the soft spot behind underneath zone defenders. Use this play on third and medium to third and long since the shake concept takes a beat to develop and needs time in the pocket. Pair this with Curl Flats or Stick from the same set to keep the defense guessing between quick game and the deeper shake concept, and mix in Four Verticals as a shot play once the defense starts sitting on the shake route.
