Playbooks

X Close HB Dive

Shotgun·Y Off Trips·11

Dive Run Play

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This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Play diagram for X Close HB Dive from Shotgun Y Off Trips in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetY Off Trips

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 1 playbook

Shotgun Mix

Breakdown

X Close HB Dive out of Shotgun Y Off Trips is a pure inside run play designed to hit fast between the tackles before the defense can flow. The offensive line down blocks in tandem with the closed X receiver tightened into the formation to seal the edge and stack numbers at the point of attack, while the trips side acts as a decoy to pull defenders away from the run fit. The primary read is the HB's track through the A or B gap, keying the down blocks from the center and guards and hitting the first crease that opens rather than bouncing outside.

Defensive Reads

Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they are sitting shallow and reading the mesh point they will fill the dive lanes quickly. This run struggles against gap sound defenses with a stacked box and a Mike linebacker playing downhill immediately. It beats light boxes where the defense has rotated safeties or extra defenders out toward the trips side, leaving only five or six in the box. User the Mike linebacker and key his first step, if he bites on the trips motion or run action the interior gaps stay clean for a big gain. Be wary of odd front blitz packages with a run stopping nose tackle, they can blow up the dive before the back reaches the line of scrimmage.

Usage Tips

Use this play on early downs like first and second and short to medium distance to keep the defense honest against your trips formation pass looks.

Check the box count pre-snap and if the defense has six or more in the box, consider audibling to a play action shot or RPO Bubble Y Pop instead.

Pair this with RPO Read WR Screen and RPO X Close Duo Bubble from the same set so the defense has to respect both the trips bubble and the interior run every snap.

Send the HB in motion pre-snap if available to get a free look at man versus zone coverage before the snap.

Mix this in after running Inside Zone or Duo a few times so linebackers start flowing hard, then hit them with the quicker dive hitting downhill before they can fill the gap.