The Shotgun Normal Flex X Option is a play that gives your offense the ability to score in a single down. The key to beating your opponent deep is finding a way to pull the safety away from where you're throwing the ball. Luckily, this play is already designed perfectly to eliminate the safety without even making any adjustments before the snap. Check it out!
Shotgun Normal Flex - X Option
Console(s)
XBOX 360 / PS3Quick Setup
Step 1 - (optional) Keep the tight end back to block if pressure is too great (360 - Y + receiver's icon + RT / PS3 - Triangle + receiver's icon + R2).
Step 2 - Move the icon onto the running back to avoid giving away the auto-motion.
Step 3 - Roll out of the pocket to the right and fire back across the field in a timely fashion.
SportsGamer tip:Place as much speed as possible in at the running back position. In this example we're using Rutgers' running back Ray Rice. Rice's speed is only 93, but as you'll see below it is still good enough. If you attempt this play with a running back that has 96+ speed you can expect a greater amount of separation.
Play Breakdown
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights have come out in the Shotgun Normal Flex X Option play. Defensively, South Florida has called QUarters Man cover 2 with bump n' run on the receivers. The only change that you may want to consider before beginning this play is hot routing the tight end to stay in and block to give you a little more time in the pocket.
The only required step that you need to take is placing the player icon onto your running back. Placing the icon on your running back will prevent your opponent from knowing that he is running an auto-motion route. In the second image the play has begun and our running back starts his route by moving towards the left sideline.
We calmly wait in the pocket as our running back turns his route upfield once he hits the sideline. Next, we roll outside of the pocket to the right. At this point we could throw to the tight end running a corner route on the right side of the field, or the receiver running a deep post over the middle (as shown in second image). However, it's the receiver's deep post route over the middle that actually opens the door for our offense to make an even bigger play on the backside. Notice in the image to the right how the free safety is sliding over towards the middle of the field. The reason this safety is moving in towards the middle of the field is because he feels responsible for helping the nearby cornerback cover.
Next, we make the throw all the way back across the field to the running back matched up in one on one coverage with the linebacker. This throw takes timing and practice because you need to get used to your quarterback's arm strength and your running back's speed. However, once you've mastered it you may find yourself finding the endzone in a single play.
Running back Ray Rice is in perfect position to make the reception between the linebacker and the free safety. The end result on this play was a gain of almost 50 yards and a chance for our offense to convert in the redzone. If we had just a bit more speed at running back we most likely would've been able to score.
Final Thoughts
The ability to beat your opponent downfield even when he has two safeties playing deep is a huge threat for your offense. Remember to sub your fastest running back in to give yourself the best chance possible to score every time you run this play. Take the team of your choice and head into practice mode to get used to making this deadly throw over and over again until it's perfected.
