Playbooks

Levels

Shotgun·Stack Y-Flex·11

Levels Pass Play Cover 2 Beater

Play diagram for Levels from Shotgun Stack Y-Flex in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetStack Y-Flex

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 5 playbooks

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Breakdown

Levels out of Shotgun Stack Y-Flex is a classic Cover 2 beater built on stacked in-cuts at two distinct depths on one side of the field. The stacked receiver runs a deep in route while the inside receiver breaks underneath on a shallow in, creating a natural high low read against the flat and hook zone defenders, while the backside receiver runs a deep comeback and the tight end works a vertical seam up the middle. The HB releases out of the backfield on a wheel route up the sideline as a check down and coverage stretcher, and the primary progression starts at the deep in route before working down to the shallow in and finally to the HB wheel if the defense sinks its underneath zones.

Defensive Reads

This concept eats Cover 2 and Cover 3 zone shells because the two in routes stack the flat defender and hook defender with conflicting horizontal threats. Watch cornerback depth pre snap. Soft press or off man corners on the stack side confirm zone and tell you the deep in route will have a throwing lane. Post snap, track the flat defender. If he sinks with the shallow in route, the window for the deep in route over the top opens immediately. Man coverage with underneath help, like Cover 1 or Cover 0 with a robber defender sitting in the middle of the field, is the main counter since the robber can jump the deep in route before it clears traffic. If you see the defense rotate a safety down late or show a disguised blitz, get the ball out on the shallow in or dump to the HB wheel before the pocket collapses.

Usage Tips

Use this play on second and medium to second and long when you expect Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with soft cushion corners.

Pre snap, identify the safeties. Two high safeties with corners playing off is your green light to hammer the levels concept on the stack side.

If the defense shows man coverage with a single high safety, hot route the HB wheel earlier or check to Curl Combo instead since Levels loses value against tight man coverage with no natural pick.

Against zone, key the flat defender and the hook linebacker. If they widen with the shallow in, come off it fast and hit the deep in route sitting behind them for the explosive gain.

Pair this call with HB Draw or Inside Zone earlier in a series to get linebackers cheating downhill, then dial up Levels to attack the vacated hook zones with the deep in route.

On third and long, use the HB wheel as your outlet against zone blitz looks since it clears out to the flat and gives you a safety valve versus disguised pressure.