Playbooks

Four Verticals

Singleback·Doubles·11
Four VertsPass PlayCover 2 BeaterCover 3 BeaterFadeOption RouteSeamStreak
Play diagram for Four Verticals from Singleback Doubles in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationSingleback

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Receiver routes

Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.

See this play with a team's players
PlayerSideRoute
HB1MiddleOption Route
WR3LeftSeam Read
WR1LeftFade
WR2RightStreak
TE1RightStreak

Read progression

  1. WR3 left, Seam Read
  2. TE1 right, Streak
  3. WR2 right, Streak
  4. HB1, Option Route or WR1 left, Fade

Breakdown

Four Verticals out of Singleback Doubles sends all four eligible receivers vertically up the field, with both outside receivers running straight seams up the numbers, the slot receiver from the trips side pushing a vertical seam, and the tight end or slot on the other side running a shorter vertical stem that settles at intermediate depth. The HB stays in to check release and pass protect while the offensive line sets up a standard five man protection pocket. This is a classic Cover 2 and Cover 3 beater built to stress deep safeties horizontally, with the primary read progressing from the middle seam (the shorter red route) to the field side vertical, then working outside if the middle is capped.

Defensive Reads

Watch the middle linebacker depth at the snap, if he sinks quickly into a deep hook zone he can jump the shorter vertical route and force you to work outside sooner. Identify two high safeties pre-snap, if they stay two high and do not rotate down this play has a clean answer since verticals will split the shell before help arrives. Against single high Cover 3, key the free safety's leverage, if he shades toward the field the boundary vertical becomes the shot play while the field verticals occupy the corners. Beware disguised Cover 4 or quarters shells, if the corners and safeties all bail deep at the snap the verticals get blanketed and you need a checkdown or scramble drill since there is no underneath option built in. Watch for user controlled lurk defenders sitting in the shallow middle, an aggressive user linebacker can undercut the shorter vertical route before it clears the second level, so timing the throw before he settles is critical.

Usage Tips

Check the safety alignment before the snap, if you see two high safeties split evenly this play is designed to attack the seams before they can rotate over the top.

Use the middle seam route (the red route) as your first read against Cover 2 since it sits in the void between the hash and the safety before the safety can get depth.

If the defense shows single high Cover 3, hot route the shorter vertical into a sit route or seam adjustment to settle in the soft spot behind the linebackers and in front of the deep third defenders.

Pair this play in your call sequence with Slot Seam or Streaks to condition the defense into expecting verticals, then mix in Curl Flats or Double Slants off the same formation to punish aggressive safety rotation.

Best used on early downs or obvious passing situations where you have time in the pocket, avoid calling this on third and short against disciplined zone defenses that will sit in shallow zones and clog the middle read.

Other Plays in Doubles