Playbooks

HB Pitch

Singleback·Ace·12

Toss Run Play

Play diagram for HB Pitch from Singleback Ace in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationSingleback

SetAce

Personnel

121 RB · 2 TE · 2 WR

In 6 playbooks

Legends OffenseOffense Power Run OffenseOffense Sim Explosivestress Ph OffenseOffense Sim Focusedtargeting Ba OffenseOffense Sim Focusedtargeting Ph OffenseOffense Sim Focusedtargeting Rn OffenseOffense

Breakdown

HB Pitch out of Singleback Ace with 12 personnel is a straightforward toss run to the outside edge, with the HB lining up deep in the backfield and taking a pitch to the strong side as shown by the red arrow flowing away from the formation. The offensive line and both tight ends flow with outside zone or pin blocking angles to seal the edge, letting the back read the flow of blockers rather than attacking a predetermined gap. This is a pure run play designed to test defensive edge integrity and outrun overpursuing linebackers, with the primary read being the HB's ability to press the line and bounce outside off his lead blockers.

Defensive Reads

Watch for defensive ends and outside linebackers crashing hard inside, since that leaves the edge wide open for the pitch to bounce outside cleanly. Identify if the defense is running a strong edge set with a contain defender staying home, which forces the ball back inside and kills the play design. Key on linebacker depth and flow speed pre-snap, since fast flowing linebackers who overrun the play in pursuit create natural cutback lanes. User controlled defenders spying the backfield or reading the pitch action can blow this play up quickly, so avoid calling it against defenses showing an obvious edge spy look. Man coverage on the perimeter with corners playing tight technique will crash down on run support quickly, so this play is best used against zone shells with deeper corner alignment.

Usage Tips

Use HB Pitch on early downs and short yardage runs when you have identified light boxes or defenses stacked in the middle to defend interior run plays.

Check the defensive end and outside linebacker alignment before the snap, since this play is most effective when the edge defender is crashing inside or is wide enough to get sealed.

Combine HB Pitch with HB Counter and Jet Sweep from this same Ace set to keep defenders guessing on outside run direction and force overpursuit that opens up cutback lanes.

Pair this play with PA Boot Roll or PA Sprint HB Flat later in a series once you have shown the pitch action, since the edge flow can set up strong play-action boot concepts.

Avoid calling this against aggressive contain defenses or edge blitzes with fast flow linebackers, since the pitch takes time to develop and can be blown up before the back gets outside.