Playbooks

Mtn PA Verticals

Shotgun·Normal Y Off·11

Play Action Four Verts Motion Pass Play Cover 2 Beater Cover 3 Beater

Play diagram for Mtn PA Verticals from Shotgun Normal Y Off in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetNormal Y Off

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 2 playbooks

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Breakdown

Mtn PA Verticals is a play-action shot play out of Shotgun Normal Y Off with 11 personnel. Both outside receivers and the TE (from the slot) push vertical seams up the field while the play fake to the HB holds the linebackers and safeties for a split second, creating the four verts look with a Mountain motion tag pre-snap. This is a Cover 2 and Cover 3 beater designed to attack the seams and sideline behind the underneath defenders, with the primary read progression going from the deep outside verticals to the TE seam route as the QB works from the boundary in based on safety rotation.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, check safety depth and alignment since two-high shells signal Cover 2 or Cover 4 while a single high safety signals Cover 3 or man coverage. Watch the linebackers at the snap, if they bite hard on the play-action fake it opens up the seam route for an easy explosive gain. User the deep half safety in Cover 2 to prevent the sideline verticals from getting behind the defense, this play is vulnerable if that safety stays disciplined. Man coverage with no help over the top gets exposed by the vertical releases, especially if the cornerbacks are playing tight press without safety support. Watch for a delayed blitz or a spy on the QB during the play fake, since the protection on this shot play can break down against pressure that isn't fooled by the run action.

Usage Tips

Use the Mountain motion pre-snap to identify man versus zone coverage based on how the defense reacts to the motion man crossing the formation.

Look for two deep safeties pre-snap to confirm Cover 2, then target the seam route since the safeties have to widen for the outside verticals.

Against Cover 3, throw off the play fake timing to hit the TE seam before the middle-of-field safety can get over the top.

Pair this with Mtn HB Swing or Mtn Curls to keep defenses honest on the play-action fake and punish linebackers who bite on the run action.

Best called on early downs or in play-action friendly situations like second and short, where defenses are more likely to respect the run fake and open passing lanes underneath the verticals.