Playbooks

HB Option

Shotgun·Trey Y-Flex·11

Option Route Pass Play

Play diagram for HB Option from Shotgun Trey Y-Flex in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetTrey Y-Flex

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 4 playbooks

Chiefs OffenseOffense Giants OffenseOffense NFL Live Chiefs OffenseOffense NFL Live Giants OffenseOffense

Breakdown

HB Option out of Trey Y-Flex sends the three receivers on the trips side into a deep cross, corner, and a shallow drag that clears out horizontal zone space, while the backside X runs a vertical clear-out to hold the boundary corner. The HB releases out of the backfield into an option route against the middle linebacker or nickel defender, breaking outside up the seam versus man leverage or settling in the void versus zone. This is a man beater at its core, since the HB option route creates a built in leverage advantage on any linebacker forced to cover in space, and the primary read progression starts with the HB option before working to the drag and then the deep cross on the trips side.

Defensive Reads

Pre snap, identify if a linebacker is aligned with inside leverage on the HB, since outside leverage invites an easy option break to the flat. Watch for the middle linebacker or nickel defender's depth at the snap, shallow depth signals man coverage responsibility on the HB option. Post snap, key any user controlled defender sinking into the shallow drag lane, since that lurk threat can jump the underneath option route and create a turnover. Cover 3 and Cover 1 with a spy get beaten by the option route's natural separation, while Cover 2 zones with a hard flat defender can squeeze the option and force the QB to eat the drag. Look for blitz packages that send extra rushers off the edge, since the HB staying in on the option route removes a blocker and leaves the quarterback exposed on delayed pressure.

Usage Tips

Check the box pre snap for a linebacker or safety walked down over the HB alignment, since that defender is who the option route is designed to beat.

If you see man coverage, hot route the HB option to a wheel or streak against a slower linebacker for an explosive shot play.

Against zone shells, trust the drag and deep cross combo on the trips side to sit down in the vacated underground and hi-lo the flowing defenders.

Use this play on second and medium or third and short, since the quick HB option gives the quarterback a safe checkdown that still has YAC upside.

Pair this play with Empty Y Cross or Slot Post from the same set to keep the defense guessing on whether the HB stays in to option route or the play is full flood, forcing linebackers to hesitate on their run/pass keys.