Playbooks

Curl Flat Seam

Singleback·Wing Tight Z·13
FlatCurlSeamCurl FlatPass PlayCover 2 BeaterCover 3 Beater
Play diagram for Curl Flat Seam from Singleback Wing Tight Z in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationSingleback

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Breakdown

Curl Flat Seam is a five man pass concept out of Singleback Wing Tight Z that attacks the middle of the field and the flat simultaneously. The backside X runs a deep crossing route to clear space, the TE in the backfield releases on a short flat route, the inline Y works a quick out toward the sideline, and the slot receiver runs a vertical seam up the middle while the tight end to the play side runs a curl route that sits down in the intermediate zone. This is a strong Cover 2 and Cover 3 beater that stresses the flat defender and the deep middle safety at the same time, with the primary read progression going seam to curl to flat.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify safety depth and spacing, since a single high safety indicates Cover 3 and tells the offense the curl will be open in the void behind the linebackers. Watch the flat defender at the snap, because if he sinks too deep to cover the seam threat, the flat route to the Y becomes a wide open easy pitch and catch. User the deep middle safety in Cover 3 looks to take away the seam route, forcing the quarterback to check down to the flat or hold the ball longer against pressure. Underneath linebackers who spy the curl route can shut down the middle read, so spinning a linebacker back into that zone or using a lurk technique disrupts the primary progression. Man coverage with press corners on the seam route can bait a bad throw, especially if a user controlled defender jumps the route, so disciplined man coverage with no available help over the top is the best answer to this concept.

Usage Tips

Pre-snap, check for two high safeties or a single high safety to determine whether the seam or the curl will be your first read, since Cover 2 opens up the seam and Cover 3 opens up the curl sitting in the hole.

If the flat defender widens with the Y route, the curl route sitting underneath the linebackers becomes an easy completion for positive yardage.

Use hot routes to convert the flat route into a quick out if you see man coverage with a slower linebacker matched up, giving your quarterback an instant answer against blitz looks.

This play pairs well with HB Mid Zone or HB Inside Zone in your play calling sequence, since the run action early in a series sets up defenders to bite on linebacker flow before you come back with this seam and curl combo.

Best used on second and medium or third and short situations where defenses are more likely to sit in zone shells rather than commit to man pressure.

Other Plays in Wing Tight Z