Playbooks

Cheat Flat X Post

Shotgun·Normal Y Off Close·11
FlatPostMotionPass Play
Play diagram for Cheat Flat X Post from Shotgun Normal Y Off Close in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 20 playbooks

Bears OffenseOffenseBills OffenseOffenseChargers OffenseOffenseDolphins OffenseOffenseEagles OffenseOffenseFalcons OffenseOffenseRaiders OffenseOffenseRams OffenseOffenseRedskins OffenseOffenseTexans OffenseOffenseNFL Live Bears OffenseOffenseNFL Live Bills OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Cheat Flat X Post lines up in Shotgun out of the Normal Y Off Close set with 11 personnel, using pre-snap motion across the formation to shift alignment before the snap. Off the motion, the X receiver runs a deep post to attack the middle of the field while the outside receiver on the opposite side breaks on a corner route, and the TE releases into the flat underneath as a checkdown option. This is a man beater built to exploit motion-created mismatches: the post punishes single-high safety looks and the flat route gives you a quick answer against blitzes, with the primary read starting on the post route off the motion, then working to the corner route, and finally checking down to the flat.

Defensive Reads

Watch the safety alignment before the snap, a single high safety indicates Cover 1 or Cover 3 which the post route is designed to exploit Track the defender assigned to the motion man, if he trails across the formation you are facing man coverage and can commit to the post route with confidence Key on the flat defender post snap, if he sinks with the TE release you have a clean throwing lane to the post since the underneath zone is vacated Identify corner blitz packages pre-snap, if the corner shows blitz the flat route becomes a hot route answer since the TE releases quickly into open space This play struggles against Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with two deep safeties since the post route runs into help over the top, look to check down to the flat in these situations

Usage Tips

Use the pre-snap motion to identify if the defense is playing man or zone, if a defender follows the motion man across the formation you are likely facing man coverage and the post route becomes your best shot play

Take the post shot early against single-high shells like Cover 1 or Cover 3 since the post route will split the safety and the corner in man coverage

If the defense rotates to a two-high shell after motion, look to the corner route on the backside since it attacks the space vacated by the rotating safety

Use the flat route as your answer against blitz looks, it releases quickly and gives you a built-in checkdown when the deep routes are covered

Pair this play with Mtn Snag Curls or RPO Zone Snag earlier in a series to set up defenders expecting quick flat throws, then hit the post route deep once they start jumping underneath routes

Other Plays in Normal Y Off Close