The Shotgun Tight is a formation that has dominated the Madden series the past two years. In fact, this formation was so effective that many people believe that this was reason that it is no longer in the current gen version of the game. However, this formation remains in the next gen version of the game, and is still highly effective. Today, SportsGamer is going to look at the WR Option play from the Shotgun Tight formation. The reason we want to take a look this play is because there are three unbumpable routes on the field. Let's begin the breakdown.
Shotgun Tight - WR Option
Playbook
Run N' Gun
Quick Setup
Step 1 - (optional) Hot route the number 1 receiver on your depth chart to perform a slant route over the middle of the field (tap B until the icon is on your #1 receiver, then press Y + right analog stick left)
Figure 1 - The Minnesota Vikings have come out in the Shotgun Tight WR Option play. Wide receiver Marcus Robinson (B) on the right side of the field is running an unbumpable route. Also, the combination of routes being run by wide receivers Travis Taylor (X) and Troy WIlliamson (Y) allows both of these receivers to get off the line unbumped as well. We could begin the play now, but we like to make one last adjustments to improve our options on the field.
Figure 2 - The last change that we make before beginning the play is hot routing wide receiver Koren Robinson (A) to run a slant over the middle to be able to attack one more area of the field.
Figure 3 - As quarterback Brad Johnson takes the snap, you can see that the olny receiver being bumped is Koren Robinson as he begins running his slant route. Meanwhile, the remaining receivers get off the line very quickly.
Figure 4 - We take about a five step drop in the pocket before delivering a high pass to Marcus Robinson by pressing up on the directional pad.
Figure 5 - Robinson has plenty of sepration from the defender.
Figure 6 - Robinson makes the leaping catch with the defender trailing behind.
Figure 7 - The separation from the defender was enough to pick up a few extra yards on the play.
Figure 8 - Robinson is finally pushed out after a gain of 4-5 yards. This may not seem like much, but forcing your opponent to respect this every down can be very annoying to defend against.
Figure 9 - This time we are going to look to attack the flats on the left side of the field with wide receiver Travis Taylor. In this image the snap has just taken place and our receivers begin heading upfield without being bumped.
Figure 10 - The combination of the two routes run by our receivers causes confusion among the Detroit Lions secondary. The cornerbacks switch who they are guarding on this particular example. It is important to know that the defenders won't always switch who they are guarding after the snap. However, you can expect it to happen quite a bit when running this play.
Figure 11 - Again, we make a high pass by pressing up on the directional pad.
Figure 12 - Taylor raises up to haul in the pass near the sidelines.
Figure 13 - The Lions defenders switch off again after the snap, allowing both of our receivers to easily get into position. This time, we look to quickly hit the outside receiver (Williamson) running the corner route when he gets inside position on the defender.
Figure 14 - We notice the great position that Williamson has on the defender, so we make the throw over the middle with Johnson.
Figure 15 - Williamson makes the easy catch for another first down.
Figure 16 - Now the defense has come out in a zone. We know it's a zone because the cornerbacks are on the outside are not lined up directly in front of our receivers. We know that we can still complete a high pass in the flats on either side of the field. However, the chances of completing one of those passes greatly decreases if the cornerbacks are in the flats. Instead, we look to exploit any opening that we see in the middle of the field.
Figure 17 - Wide receiver Koren Robinson begins heading upfield as he prepares to run his slant route over the middle.
Figure 18 - Robinson makes his break over the middle as we sit comfortably in the pocket.
Figure 19 - We deliver a strike over the middle to the wide open Robinson.
Figure 20 - Robinson snags the high pass out of the sky for a nice gain.
Final Conlcusion
Running plays that develop quickly will greatly benefit you on offense. A play like the WR Option is really ideal because there is so much pressure out there to have to deal with that you need receivers to get open immediately after the snap. We would suggest not only checking out the WR Option play, but also the entire Shotgun Tight formation. The Run N' Gun playbook is probably the most explosive passing playbook in the game. Head into practice mode to see how deadly it can be for you.
