Playbooks

689 Hook

Shotgun·Split Slot Open·20
Pass PlayCurlOutGoFlatSeamCurl FlatFloodCover 3 Beater
Play diagram for 689 Hook from Shotgun Split Slot Open in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

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Breakdown

689 Hook out of Shotgun Split Slot Open sends the three receivers to the right on a flood concept: the outside receiver runs a go route to clear the top, the next receiver breaks off a deep out, and the innermost receiver settles into a curl (hook) at the sticks while the flat is worked by the underneath route from the bunch. On the backside the lone receiver runs a quick out and up angle route as a solo option against man coverage. The running back stays in to help protect, and the read progression works high to low: go route first to see if the corner bites, then the deep out, then settle on the curl or flat depending on the underneath defender's drop, making this primarily a Cover 3 beater that also holds up against man coverage on the backside isolation route.

Defensive Reads

Identify single high versus two high safeties before the snap, a single high shell tips Cover 3 and tells you the curl and flood side will have room to work underneath the deep corner drop. Watch the flat defender's initial break, if he sinks with the go route or widens too aggressively the curl route will have a soft throwing window against zone. Key the middle linebacker's depth at the snap, a shallow drop signals a possible curl-flat robber technique designed to jump the hook route, so be ready to check to the backside out and up. Against man coverage look for the corner on the backside isolation receiver to press or sit off, a soft corner opens the out portion of the out and up route for an easy pitch and catch. Watch for a nano blitz or overload pressure to the flood side, if the offensive line is outnumbered on that edge get the ball out quickly to the flat or curl before the protection breaks down.

Usage Tips

Use this on second and long or third and medium when you need a defined sit-down zone beater against Cover 3 shells with two deep safeties disguised pre-snap.

Check the flat defender before the snap, if he widens with the flat route the curl behind him will sit in a clean throwing window.

Hot route the backside receiver into a slant or drag if you are facing man coverage and want a faster developing throw than the out and up.

Pair this play with Backs Cross or Shakes in the same set to give the defense a similar shotgun look while attacking underneath zones differently, keeping linebackers guessing.

Use play action from this same personnel earlier in the series (like PA Y Cross) to slow down linebacker drops, then come back to 689 Hook to hit the curl sitting in the vacated zone.

Other Plays in Split Slot Open