Playbooks

Dragon Spacing

Singleback·Wing Slot·12
SpacingPass PlayCover 3 BeaterCover 4 BeaterCurlFlatSlantSwing
Play diagram for Dragon Spacing from Singleback Wing Slot 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
HB1MiddleSwing
TE2RightCurl
WR1LeftSlant
WR2LeftFlat
TE1RightSmash

Read progression

  1. WR1 left, Slant
  2. TE2 right, Curl or WR2 left, Flat
  3. TE1 right, Smash
  4. HB1, SwingCheck-down

Breakdown

Dragon Spacing is a spacing concept out of Singleback Wing Slot with 12 personnel that stresses the underneath zones horizontally. The backside X runs a deep drag/crosser (red route) while the three receivers to the field run a spacing combo of a flat route, a hitch/curl at the sticks, and a corner route from the slot, with the HB releasing into the shallow flat as a checkdown. This is a classic Cover 3 and Cover 4 beater built around finding grass in the zone honeycomb, and the primary read progression starts with the deep drag against Cover 3 rotation, then works to the stick/curl and flat combo underneath if the linebackers sink deep.

Defensive Reads

Key the middle linebacker at the snap, if he sinks with the drag route immediately work to the curl or flat for an easy completion. Watch for a user controlled defender sitting in the deep drag lane, that is the sign the defense is playing Cover 3 with a lurking backer. Against Cover 4, read the flat defender first, if he widens with the flat route the curl route sits in the natural window underneath the safety. Man coverage with no help over the top is a bust for the defense here, the spacing routes create natural rubs that spring receivers open against man beaters. Beware of Cover 2 robber looks or a blitzing SS since the HB checkdown becomes the only answer if the underneath windows collapse quickly.

Usage Tips

Use this on second and medium or third and short to fourth down to attack sit down zone defenders in Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells.

Pre snap, identify single high versus two high safeties, if you see a single high safety with off corners this play is money against Cover 3 hook defenders.

Hot route the HB to a wider flat if you see a linebacker spying the middle so you have a true horizontal stretch on the flat defender.

Pair this with PA Y-poco or PA Dagger from the same formation to keep defenders honest on the play action look since the initial routes mirror this concept.

Combine with Y Stick or Quick Slant as a changeup once the defense starts jumping the drag route on early downs.

Other Plays in Wing Slot