Playbooks

QB Zone

Shotgun·Trey Open·11

Designed Qb Run Run Play

Play diagram for QB Zone from Shotgun Trey Open in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetTrey Open

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 4 playbooks

Ravens OffenseOffense Superstar QB Improvisor Superstar QB Scrambler NFL Live Ravens OffenseOffense

Breakdown

QB Zone out of Shotgun Trey Open is a designed QB run that reads as a zone blocking scheme up front with the offensive line flowing laterally to seal running lanes. The lone backside receiver on the left runs off the corner as a clearout, while the trips side to the right (including the TE) stalk blocks or releases vertically to occupy second level defenders and remove them from the box. This is a pure run play with no pass option, so the primary read is the QB reading the zone blocking flow and picking the crease based on how the defensive line and linebackers flow to the play side.

Defensive Reads

Watch linebacker depth presnap, if the mikes are sitting shallow and creeping toward the line they are likely reading run and will fill fast against zone flow. Identify the strong safety alignment, if he is cheating down into the box before the snap the defense may be stacked to stop QB Zone specifically. Look for defensive ends staying home or crashing hard down the line, disciplined ends that stay on their track can string out the zone run and force a cutback that user defenders can jump. Post snap, key on any user controlled defender flowing downhill immediately since aggressive user run support is the biggest threat to shut this play down before the crease forms. This play struggles against gap exchange stunts and disciplined read option defense that keeps a defender assigned to the QB, but it beats teams that overpursue laterally or bite hard on the trips side motion.

Usage Tips

Use this on early downs or short yardage situations where the defense is showing a light box or has backed off to respect the trips receiver alignment presnap.

Check the numbers in the box before the snap, if you count six or fewer defenders in the box this play has a high chance of hitting for solid yardage.

Since this is a designed QB run, avoid calling it against defenses stacked with extra defenders near the line, spy defenders or read option specific blitz packages that key the QB.

Pair this with Inside Zone or Mid Zone from the same set to keep the defense honest on zone run fits, then mix in Read Option or PA Read to punish linebackers who start jumping the QB Zone flow.

Patience is key, let the zone blocking develop and press the crease rather than committing to a lane too early since the O-line is still sealing gaps a beat after the snap.