Playbooks

Redzone HB Scissors

Shotgun·Spread Y-Slot Wk·11
ScissorsPass PlayCover 2 BeaterCover 4 Beater
Play diagram for Redzone HB Scissors from Shotgun Spread Y-Slot Wk in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 10 playbooks

Bengals OffenseOffenseLions OffenseOffenseSteelers OffenseOffenseTitans OffenseOffenseVikings OffenseOffenseNFL Live Bengals OffenseOffenseNFL Live Lions OffenseOffenseNFL Live Steelers OffenseOffenseNFL Live Titans OffenseOffenseNFL Live Vikings OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Redzone HB Scissors lines up out of Shotgun Spread Y-Slot Wk with two receivers stacked tight to the formation running a crossing scissors concept, while the two outside receivers to the right run a pin and out combo, one settling short and one working out at depth. The HB and slot receiver on the left cross paths near the line, with the HB breaking outside underneath while the slot receiver cuts vertically up the seam, creating natural rub traffic that beats man coverage. This is a designed pass play built as a Cover 2 and Cover 4 beater, and the primary read progression starts with the crossing scissors route on the left since the traffic manufactures separation, then works to the corner route breaking outside for the deep shot, and finally checks down to the underneath out route on the right if the middle of the field is clogged.

Defensive Reads

Watch for safeties staying high and outside cornerbacks squatting on the numbers, which signals Cover 2 or Cover 4 and opens the window for the seam route out of the scissors concept. If the linebackers or nickel defender jump the crossing routes early, that flashes a lurk or man match technique designed to blow up the rub, so be ready to check the out route on the right side instead. Man coverage with a single high safety is vulnerable here since the scissors action naturally picks off trailing defenders, giving the vertical route a clean release. Watch the flat defender on the right, since a cover 2 corner sitting hard on the underneath out route can jump the throw if the quarterback holds it too long. Blitz-heavy fronts with no deep safety help are the biggest risk, since the scissors concept takes time to develop and a free rusher can force an early or errant throw before the routes separate.

Usage Tips

Use this play in true redzone situations inside the 15 yard line where the shortened field compresses coverage and the scissors rub becomes tough for man defenders to navigate.

Pre-snap, identify if the safeties are showing two high or rotating down, since the scissors concept exploits Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells that struggle to pass off the crossing routes cleanly.

If you see man coverage with no safety help over the top, target the vertical seam route coming out of the scissors action immediately since the natural rub creates a step of separation.

Hot route the backside out route into a quick flat or drag if the defense shows blitz, giving your quarterback a fast release valve against pressure looks.

Pair this play with HB Base or Double Slants in your play-calling sequence so the defense has to respect both the crossing rub concept and quick game, making it harder for them to sit on the scissors route in short yardage.

Other Plays in Spread Y-Slot Wk