Playbooks

Four Verticals

Shotgun·Normal Y Off·11
Four VertsPass PlayCover 2 BeaterCover 3 Beater
Play diagram for Four Verticals from Shotgun Normal Y Off in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

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Breakdown

Four Verticals out of Shotgun Normal Y Off sends all four eligible receivers vertical up the field, stretching the defense sideline to sideline with two outside receivers on the numbers and the slot receiver plus the TE splitting the seams. The HB stays in to check block or leak out on a delayed release, giving the QB a clean pocket to survey the deep shots. This is a classic Cover 2 and Cover 3 beater built to attack the seams between the safeties and the deep third defenders, with the primary read progressing from the seam route on the play side to the opposite seam and then working to the outside verticals if the middle is clogged.

Defensive Reads

Pre snap, identify two deep safeties versus one deep safety, Cover 2 and Cover 3 shells are the primary targets for this concept since the seams naturally split zone drops. Watch cornerback depth at the line, if corners are playing deep off coverage they are conceding the underneath but still soft on top, which favors the seam reads over the boundary verticals. Post snap, track the middle linebacker or nickel defender's drop angle, a shallow or lazy drop leaves the inside seam wide open for an easy explosive gain. Beware Cover 4 or Cover 6 quarters shells and disguised Cover 1 robber looks, since extra deep defenders can sit on the seams and undercut the throw, so be ready to check down to the HB if you see this disguise pre snap. Man beater potential is limited here since four verticals rely on beating zone leverage, so if you diagnose man coverage with a blitz on the way, consider audibling to a quicker route concept instead.

Usage Tips

Check the safety alignment before the snap, if you see two deep safeties split wide with a lot of grass in the middle, the seam routes will be wide open against Cover 2. Use your hot routes to slide the HB into a swing or check release if you see a blitz look, this buys the QB extra time to let the verticals develop. Against single high looks like Cover 3 or Cover 1, key the middle linebacker's drop, if he sinks deep the seam window shrinks so be ready to climb to the outside vertical instead. This play shines on second and long or third and long when you need to challenge a defense that is sitting back in zone shells. Pair Four Verticals with Curl Flats or Curls Lead Swing earlier in a drive to bait linebackers into shallow drops, then come back to this shot play once the defense starts jumping the short routes. Use play action rollouts or PA Zone Cross on early downs to set up the defense expecting run action before dialing up this dropback shot play for a big play look.

Other Plays in Normal Y Off