Playbooks

Levels Switch

Shotgun·Trips HB Wk·10
LevelsPass PlayCover 2 BeaterDigHookInSwing
Play diagram for Levels Switch from Shotgun Trips HB Wk in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 4 playbooks

Run And Shoot OffenseOffenseSim Explosivestress Ba OffenseOffenseSim Explosivestress Ph OffenseOffenseSim Explosivestress Rn OffenseOffense

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
HB1LeftSwing
SLWRRightDeep In
WR1LeftHook
WR2RightShort In
SLWR2RightIn

Read progression

  1. WR1 left, Hook
  2. SLWR right, Deep In or WR2 right, Short In or SLWR2 right, In
  3. HB1 left, SwingCheck-down

Breakdown

Levels Switch is a Cover 2 beater out of Shotgun Trips HB Wk that uses a switch release from the trips side to create natural picks and clear out underneath defenders. The two inside trips receivers cross paths at the snap, with one working an in-cut over the middle at intermediate depth while the other continues on a deep crossing route to the opposite hash, stacking two horizontal levels for the QB to read from high to low. The backside X runs a deep vertical to hold the safety and cornerback on that side, while the HB releases out of the backfield on a shallow flare to the boundary as a checkdown or man beater against blitz. Primary read progression starts with the deep crosser working to the far side, then works down to the underlying in-route, and finally to the HB flare if both levels are covered.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify two deep safeties since Cover 2 and Cover 4 are the shells this concept is designed to exploit with the two level crossers. Watch the flow of the linebackers after the snap, if they widen with the switch release and open a lane over the middle, the QB will hit the underneath in-route quickly. User the deep crossing route with a safety or nickel defender if you are on defense, since that route is the primary read and sitting in the passing lane forces the QB to work the ball down to the shallow flare. Man coverage with no help over the top is vulnerable to the natural pick created by the switch release, so play through the rub rather than trailing tight to avoid getting hung up. A well timed blitz off the edge disrupts the deep read and forces a quick checkdown to the HB flare, so bring pressure if the offense is holding the ball to let the crosser develop.

Usage Tips

Look for two high safeties pre-snap since this play is built to attack Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells where the switch release confuses zone drops.

Use the deep crossing route as your first read against Cover 2 because it settles in the void between the cornerback and safety before the underneath in-route opens up.

If the defense shows man coverage, the switch release at the snap creates natural traffic that can spring the crosser open against man or bump, so trust the rub and throw with anticipation.

Hot route the HB to a pass protect if you are getting pressure off the edge, since the shallow flare is a lower value outlet in max protect situations.

Pair this with Curls or Deep Stick from the same set on second and third down to keep the defense guessing between horizontal levels concepts and quick game, then dial up Four Verticals if they start jumping the crosser.

Other Plays in Trips HB Wk