Playbooks

Verticals

Shotgun·Trips TE Flex·11

Four Verts Pass Play Cover 2 Beater Cover 3 Beater

Play diagram for Verticals from Shotgun Trips TE Flex in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetTrips TE Flex

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

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Breakdown

Verticals out of Shotgun Trips TE Flex sends four receivers vertically to stretch the field, with the outside receiver on the left running a straight go, the inline slot pushing a vertical seam, the third trips receiver breaking outside to a corner-flag route off the seam stem, and the flexed TE releasing outside then working the flat as a checkdown or man beater against trailing linebackers. The lone RB stays in as a scan/leak protection and area check to the flat late in the concept. This is a classic Four Verts call built as a Cover 2 and Cover 3 beater, attacking the seams and the deep middle voids created by two-high or three-deep shells, with the primary progression going from the deep middle seam read to the corner-breaking route, then down to the flat/checkdown route if the defense rolls coverage over the top.

Defensive Reads

Watch the middle linebacker's depth at the snap, since a shallow drop signals Cover 2 or Cover 4 and opens up the seam throw before the safety can get over the top. Track the free safety's break, if he bites on the seam runner the corner route behind him becomes wide open against Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells. Diagnose Cover 2 by reading the cornerback's flat responsibility, if he sinks into the flat late the outside go route can win over the top against a slow rotating safety. Beware of a user controlled safety sitting in the deep middle or a lurking linebacker robbing the intermediate seam, since this play struggles against disciplined middle of field closed defenses like Cover 1 or Cover 3 with a rangy free safety. If the defense shows Cover 0 or brings a nano blitz, expect immediate pressure, so key the RB's protection assignment and be ready to check down to the flat route quickly.

Usage Tips

Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing two-high or single-high safeties, since Four Verts is designed to punish two-high shells by splitting the safeties and attacking the seams between them.

If you see Cover 3 with a deep third safety, key the seam runner away from the safety's alignment and layer the throw before the flat defender can widen.

Use hot routes to convert the outside go route into a comeback or hitch against aggressive press corners if you expect a jam at the line.

Pair this call with Y Corner Stop or Stick from the same set to keep the defense honest on shorter zone drops before hitting them with the deep verticals.

Best used on early downs or obvious passing situations where you have time in the pocket, since all four routes take time to develop and the checkdown to the flat is your answer against a fast four man rush.