Playbooks

Curls

Shotgun·Trips Y-Flex·11

Curl Pass Play Out Post Swing

Play diagram for Curls from Shotgun Trips Y-Flex in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetTrips Y-Flex

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

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Breakdown

Curls out of Shotgun Trips Y-Flex sends the backside X on a vertical release that breaks back to the outside, while the trips side runs a curl from the Y (slot) at intermediate depth and an outside release wheel or corner-flat combo from the two receivers to the boundary, with the inside trips receiver running a flat route underneath. The single receiver to the left runs a curl breaking outside as well, giving you a natural three level stretch on both sides of the field. This is a zone beater at its core, using curl and flat combos on both sides to sit in the soft spots of Cover 3 and Cover 4 zone drops, and the primary read progression starts with the trips side curl/flat combo before working back to the backside curl if the underneath defenders squat.

Defensive Reads

Presnap check safety depth and cornerback alignment on the trips side, since off man coverage or deep zone drops will open the curl windows immediately at the snap. Post snap key the flat defender on the trips side, if he sinks with the curl route instead of staying low, the underneath flat throw becomes wide open. Watch for a user controlled linebacker lurking in the middle of the field, since Curls routes sit in that exact throwing lane and a good user defender can jump the backside curl for a pick six. Man coverage with no help over the top shuts this play down quickly, since curl routes are easy to squat on and jump if defenders trail tightly with inside leverage. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge attack this play hard because the quarterback needs time to work through the curl progression, so check protection or plan a quick throw to the flat as a built in blitz beater.

Usage Tips

Presnap identify if the defense is showing two high safeties or a single high shell, since Curls is most effective against zone coverage with defenders sitting in intermediate windows.

If you see Cover 3, target the curl route sitting down right behind the flat defender for an easy void throw before the deep third safety can rally.

Against Cover 2 or Cover 4, look to the corner or wheel breaking route on the trips side since those coverages tend to leave the seam and deep sideline open behind the curl.

Use this play on second and medium to third and long situations where the offense needs a chain mover but defenses expect a deeper shot, since the curl depth typically sits around ten to twelve yards.

Pair Curls with Four Verticals or Go DBL Post from the same set to punish defenses that jump the curl routes with aggressive zone drops or spot dropping linebackers.