Playbooks

TE In

Shotgun·Trips TE Offset·11

In Pass Play Curl Drag Crosser Streak Wheel

Play diagram for TE In from Shotgun Trips TE Offset in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetTrips TE Offset

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 7 playbooks

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Breakdown

TE In from Shotgun Trips TE Offset sends the tight end on a hard in route across the middle from the trips side, sitting right in the throwing lane just behind the linebacker level. The backside X runs a deep comeback while the two outside receivers on the trips side push vertical to clear out the middle and take the top off the coverage. This is primarily a man beater, using the TE's quick break to create separation against linebackers or slower safeties in man coverage, though it can also work as a zone beater by settling into the soft spot between underneath and deep zones. The primary read progression starts with the TE In as the first read, then works to the backside comeback if the middle is clogged.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing two high safeties or a single high shell, since a single high look tells you the middle of the field is more vulnerable to the TE In. Watch linebacker depth at the snap: if they sink too deep in zone drops, the TE In sits in a soft spot for an easy pitch and catch. Key on any user controlled defender flowing toward the trips side vertical routes, because that leaves the shallow crossing lane open for the TE. This play struggles against a hard inside linebacker blitz or a robber defender sitting in the exact same window the TE is working into, so if you see a blitz alert or a defender sitting at the second level pre-snap, be ready to check down to the comeback route instead. Cover 3 with a sound underneath zone and a disciplined mike linebacker can take this route away, forcing you to rely on the backside comeback as your primary target.

Usage Tips

Use this on early downs or second and medium when you want a high percentage completion over the middle without exposing the QB to a big hit. Pre-snap, check for a single high safety look, since the vertical routes on the trips side are designed to hold that safety deep and open the window for the TE In. If you see man coverage with a linebacker matched on the TE, trust the in cut and get the ball out on time. Against zone shells, hot route the backside comeback into a deeper curl to sit behind underneath defenders if you anticipate a Tampa 2 shell with a deep middle robber. Pair this play with Verticals or PA Crossers from the same set to keep the defense honest on the TE's shallow crossing route, then come back to TE In once they start jumping the deep shots.