Playbooks

Zipper GL X Spot

Shotgun·Tight Open·11
SpotPass PlayCover 3 Beater
Likely unavailable in the playbook builder
This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.
Play diagram for Zipper GL X Spot from Shotgun Tight Open in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

Not in any team playbook.

Breakdown

Zipper GL X Spot is a Spot concept run from Shotgun Tight Open with 11 personnel, tagged as a Cover 3 beater. The diagram shows the backside receiver running a deep drag across the field, the outside receiver at the top running a corner route while the inside slot runs a flat route underneath it, and the tight end (in red) hitting a quick hitch at the sticks to hold underneath defenders. The blocking is a standard pass protection look with no extra run action shown, and the primary read progression starts with the corner route to the flat, working down to the hitch and finally the deep drag as the outlet against zone drops.

Defensive Reads

Key the corner over the top receiver, if he sinks under the corner route that opens the flat for an easy pitch and catch Watch for the flat defender squeezing the tight end hitch, if a linebacker or corner jumps that route the corner behind him is live for a bigger gain Cover 3 shells struggle with the corner to flat combo since the deep third defender cannot cover both the corner breaking to the sideline and the flat route underneath Man coverage with a lurking safety in the middle can jump the deep drag route across the field, so check that safety depth before committing to the backside crosser Zone blitzes that bring extra rushers off the edge can disrupt the timing on the corner route, so be ready to check down to the hitch or flat quickly if pressure shows post-snap

Usage Tips

Use this against off man or zone shells where the corner sits deep and the flat defender has to choose between the flat route and the corner breaking outside

Pre-snap, identify the corner and safety leverage on the trips side, if the corner is shaded inside expect the corner route to win outside on the sideline throw

Hot route the tight end into a quicker option or check him down first against blitz looks since his hitch settles fast at the sticks and beats zone blitz drops

Pair this with Zipper X Spot or Zipper Mesh Spot in your play calling sequence to keep the defense guessing between the drag concept and the corner flat combo out of the same formation

Best used on second or third and medium since the flat to corner combo stretches the sideline vertically and the hitch gives you a safe checkdown against a hard blitz

Other Plays in Tight Open