Playbooks

Verts Y Delay

Shotgun·Trips TE·11

Delay Four Verts Pass Play Cover 2 Beater Cover 3 Beater

Play diagram for Verts Y Delay from Shotgun Trips TE in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetTrips TE

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 2 playbooks

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Breakdown

Verts Y Delay from Shotgun Trips TE sends three receivers vertically up the seams and sideline while the Y (tight end) releases late out of a delay block at the line before working up the middle of the field. The single receiver to the closed side runs an out breaking route underneath, giving the quarterback a quick outlet if the vertical shots are covered downfield. This is a Cover 2 and Cover 3 beater designed to stress the deep safeties with four vertical stems, and the primary read progression starts with the delayed Y crossing the middle for a possible big play against zone drops before working outside to the trips verticals.

Defensive Reads

Identify single high versus two high safeties before the snap, this play is designed to attack the seams left open by Cover 2 shells and the deep thirds in Cover 3. Watch the middle linebacker or nickel defender at the snap, if he sinks with the trips verticals immediately the Y delay route will have a wide open throwing lane up the gut. Beware of Cover 4 or quarters coverage with safeties sitting on the seams, this shell can suffocate the vertical routes and force you to rely solely on the underneath out route. Key on user controlled defenders lurking in the middle of the field, a smart user linebacker sitting on the delay route can jump the throw since the Y route telegraphs its break late. Blitz packages that send extra rushers off the edge can be problematic since the delay route takes time to develop, check protection or hot route the delay into a quick release if you see pressure indicators pre-snap.

Usage Tips

Look for two high safeties pre-snap since the delayed Y route is designed to sit in the soft spot behind Cover 2 shells once both safeties bail deep.

Use the delay action to your advantage against zone defenses by holding your eyes outside on the trips verticals first, this freezes linebackers before you come back to the Y sneaking up the middle.

Against man coverage, hot route the single receiver's out route into a speed out or slant to create instant separation versus press corners.

Pair this play with Curl Flat or Slot Quick Flat in your call sheet so defenses cannot sit on the verticals every snap and get baited into jumping short routes.

Best used on second or third and long when defenses are more likely to play deep zone shells, since the vertical stems need time to develop and the delay route needs a beat to clear the box.