Playbooks

Z Under

Shotgun·Y Off Trips Wk·11

Pass Play Quick Pass Drag Shallow Cross Out Go Slant Flat Man Beater Mesh

Play diagram for Z Under from Shotgun Y Off Trips Wk in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetY Off Trips Wk

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 6 playbooks

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Breakdown

Z Under is a trips-based quick passing concept out of Shotgun Y Off Trips Wk that attacks man coverage with a mesh style crossing pattern. From the diagram, the backside X runs an out route to the flat, the two inside trips receivers cross underneath with a shallow drag heading away from the crossers and a slot Go route stemming vertically up the seam, while the outside Z on the trips side releases on a deep Go up the sideline. The lone in-line receiver on the right runs an under/drag route toward the middle after breaking inside, crossing paths with the vertical shooter, creating natural rub traffic for man defenders. The primary read progression starts with the shallow drag/mesh crosser underneath, moves to the flat out route if the drag is taken away, and works up to the vertical Go routes as a shot play if the defense bites on the underneath traffic.

Defensive Reads

Watch for man coverage indicators pre-snap such as corners lined up tight on the trips receivers with no visible zone turn, this play is built to exploit man matchups with natural rub routes If linebackers show blitz depth or crowd the box, expect the shallow drag to be open quickly since the mesh traffic will occupy man defenders and create a lane before help arrives Zone shells with sinking linebackers or a robber defender sitting underneath can take away the drag and out route combo, forcing the quarterback to hold the ball and look vertical Key on the flat defender or corner playing the out route, if he sits too aggressively on the flat it opens a throwing window behind him for the drag crossing underneath User controlled defenders lurking in the shallow zone are the biggest threat to this concept, if you see a user spying the middle of the field be ready to progress quickly to the outside Go routes instead of forcing the drag

Usage Tips

Use this play on early downs or in third and short situations where the shallow drag and flat out can pick up easy yardage after the mesh traffic clears linebackers

Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing man coverage by looking for tight press alignment on the trips receivers, this play is designed as a man beater and the crossing traffic will separate defenders quickly

If you see a two high shell with soft corners, consider hot routing the drag to a deeper option or trust the Go routes on the outside since zone defenders may sink into passing lanes and take away the underneath crossers

Combine Z Under with Mesh or Dig Cross from this set to keep defenses guessing between underneath crossers and intermediate in cuts, forcing linebackers to widen their drops

Pair this play with Four Verticals or Sluggo Seam as a hard counter once the defense starts jumping the shallow drag route, since the vertical shots off the same trips look punish aggressive underneath defenders