Playbooks

PA Read

Shotgun·Spread Dbl Flex·11
Play ActionPass Play
Play diagram for PA Read from Shotgun Spread Dbl Flex in Madden 27

Quick Reference

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Breakdown

PA Read is a play-action shot play out of Shotgun Spread Dbl Flex that hides the run fake before attacking down the field. Off the play-action mesh, the backside receiver runs a deep post that breaks away from the flat route stacked underneath it, while the outside receiver on that side clears vertically on a go route to hold the corner and safety deep. On the play side, the slot receiver runs a deep vertical seam and the outside receiver runs an out route at the sticks, giving the quarterback a two level read on that side of the field. The primary read starts with the post route working against single high or man coverage, and if that window is closed the quarterback works to the seam and out combo on the other side as zone beaters against split safety shells.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify single high versus two high safety alignment, this dictates whether the post or the seam and out side is the vulnerable area. If the defense shows Cover 3 or man free, expect the post route to threaten the deep middle behind the linebackers who bite on the run fake. Watch for user controlled safeties or lurking linebackers sitting in the passing lane of the post, this is the most common way to jump the throw. Against Cover 2 or Cover 4, the corners will sink under the go routes, so the out route at the sticks becomes the quickest answer against soft zone drops. Disciplined linebackers who do not bite on the play-action fake can get depth quickly and take away the seam route, forcing the quarterback to hold the ball longer under pressure.

Usage Tips

Check the safety alignment before the snap, if you see one deep safety the post route is live and should be your first look off the play-action fake.

Against two high shells, work the seam and out combo since the post will likely be capped by a deep half safety.

Use the play-action rollout hard count to bait linebackers up before the snap, then trust the fake to freeze them for an extra beat.

Pair this with HB Sweep or HB Counter earlier in a drive so the run action sells and defenders start crashing down on the fake.

Best called on second or third and medium when you want an explosive gain, since the deep shots take time to develop and need the protection to hold up.

Other Plays in Spread Dbl Flex