Playbooks

Close Zona Stick Flat

Shotgun·Trips HB Wk·10
FlatStickStick ConceptPass PlayHitchSlant
Play diagram for Close Zona Stick Flat from Shotgun Trips HB Wk in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 6 playbooks

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Receiver routes

Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.

See this play with a team's players
PlayerSideRoute
HB1LeftFlat
SLWRRightSlant
WR1LeftHitch
WR2RightSmash
SLWR2RightFlat

Read progression

  1. WR1 left, Hitch
  2. HB1 left, Flat
  3. WR2 right, Smash or SLWR2 right, Flat
  4. SLWR right, Slant

Breakdown

Close Zona Stick Flat lines up out of Shotgun Trips HB Wk with the trips side running the classic Stick concept: the inside slot receiver settles into a stick hitch at the sticks, the outside receiver clears out on a corner route, and the HB releases into the flat underneath. On the backside, the single receiver runs a deep dig that crosses the middle of the field as a man beater against off coverage. This is a zone and man beater built for a quick, high low read: work the flat to stick combo first, then look backside to the dig if the underneath defenders sink or the corner route occupies the deep defender.

Defensive Reads

Watch the flat defender presnap, if a linebacker or slot corner is sitting at five yards deep they can jump the HB flat route and bait a turnover. Key the underneath zone defenders after the snap, if they sink hard on the stick route that opens the flat immediately for the checkdown. Look for a lurking linebacker or safety in the middle of the field who can undercut the backside dig, this is the biggest threat against this concept in zone coverage. Man coverage with no safety help over the top on the corner route can be exploited by the deep out breaking corner, but a disciplined corner playing outside leverage can force an incompletion. Blitzes that bring extra rushers off the backside edge attack the dig read fastest since it requires the QB to hold the ball longer, so recognize pressure and be ready to check down to the flat immediately.

Usage Tips

Presnap identify whether the defense is showing zone or man by checking safety depth and corner alignment on the trips side, if corners are backed off expect zone drops that open the stick window.

Use the flat route from the HB as your first read against Cover 3 or Cover 4 since the corner route occupies the deep defender and clears the flat for an easy pitch and catch.

If the defense rotates to a two high shell or shows man coverage, hot route the backside dig into a shallow drag or work the natural rub between the stick and flat to beat man leverage.

This play pairs well with Close Zona Cross and Zona Fade from the same set since both hold the same trips side landmarks presnap but attack different levels, creating conflict for underneath defenders and safeties.

Best used on second and medium to third and short where the stick to flat combo consistently earns the needed yardage against zone drops and matchup blitzes.

Other Plays in Trips HB Wk