Playbooks

X Curl

Singleback·Wing Slot·12
CurlPass PlayOutSwing
Play diagram for X Curl 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
WR1LeftCurl
WR2LeftOut
TE1RightSmash

Read progression

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

Breakdown

X Curl out of Singleback Wing Slot 12 personnel is a five man pass concept built around a deep clear out route paired with an intermediate curl and underneath flat access. The X receiver runs a vertical stem straight up the seam to clear out coverage while the inside receiver on that side runs an out route to the sideline underneath him. On the trips side you get a mini flood look with an in cut breaking back to the quarterback, a corner route stemming vertical then breaking outside, and a flat route releasing from the backfield underneath everything. This is a zone beater concept that stresses both hash defenders and the flat to deep quarter, with the primary read starting on the deep clear out to see how the safety reacts before working down to the curl and in breaking routes underneath.

Defensive Reads

Identify the safety alignment before the snap, a single high safety cheating toward the trips side leaves the backside vertical route in a one on one bind that favors the offense. Watch for cover 3 or cover 4 shells that drop a hash defender into the curl window, since a disciplined zone defender sitting at the sticks can jump the in breaking route and bait a throw. Key the flat defender post snap, if he widens too fast to take away the checkdown route the underneath in cut route will have room to settle in the vacated zone. Against man coverage look for the corner route to win against a cornerback playing outside leverage, since the vertical stem forces the defender to open his hips early. Beware of a nano blitz or user blitz off the edge on the trips side, if the offensive line is outnumbered there the quarterback needs to get the ball out on the quick flat route before the pocket collapses.

Usage Tips

Check pre-snap if the safety is showing two high or rotating to single high, because the deep vertical on the left only opens throwing lanes underneath if it occupies that safety. Use this on second and medium to third and long since the route combination gives you a built in checkdown to the flat if the defense drops into a soft zone shell. Motion or shift the wing slot pre-snap to confirm man versus zone, if the defender follows across the formation you know you are getting man coverage and can prioritize the corner route as your first read instead. Hot route the flat route into a quick option or speed out if you see blitz indicators from the slot or edge defender, this gives your quarterback an immediate answer against pressure. Pair this play in a sequence with Y Stick or Quick Slant on early downs to set up the defense expecting short routes, then dial up X Curl to attack the void left by linebackers sitting shallow.

Other Plays in Wing Slot