Today, SportsGamer is going to take a look at another play from the Shotgun Tight formation. The play that we want to focus on for this tip is the HB Option. The reason that we want to take a closer look at this play is because it has big play potential against zone defense. Also, this play has the ability to beat and to man defense for a minimal gain. Check it out as SportsGamer breaks it down.
Shotgun Tight - HB Option
Quick Setup
Step 1 - Hot route the running back to stay in and block (Move the icon on the running back, then press Y + RT)
Step 2 - (optional) Motion the running back to the right to improve portection on the outsides.
Figure 1 - In this first image you can see that the Tennessee Titans have come out in the Shotgun Tight HB Option play. The player that will consistently be open against zone defense is Roydell Williams (B). The reason Williams' route is so effective is because of inside receiver Drew Bennett's streak route. We could begin the play as shown above, but we want to make two more changes to the play to ensure success.
Figure 2 - We've placed the icon on running back Chris Brown because this is the player that we want to hot route to block, then motion to the right before the snap to improve protection in the pocket.
Figure 3 - Brown will stop next to the right tackle once he has been motioned to the right. His block to the outside provides us with extra protection on the right side of the line after the snap. Now we are ready to begin the play.
Figure 4 - Quarterback Vince Young drops back in the pocket as running back Chris Brown prepares to take on the rush from Indianapolis Colts' left defensive end Robert Mathis.
Figure 5 - Brown makes a crushing block to take out the legs of Mathis.
Figure 6 - At this point in the play we are looking to hit either receiver streaking up the field. A catch by either one of these receivers needs to be practiced over and over again because it will have to be made manually if you want to consistently complete it.
Figure 7 - As we roll to the right with Young you can see that David Givens (Y)is open as he streaks on the backside of the field. However, if we wait just another second we know that Williams (B) will be open shortly after he makes his break to the corner on the right side of the field.
Figure 8 - We plant Young's feet and deliver a strike to Williams by pressing up on the directional pad. You may want to consider pressing up and right, or just right on the directional pad depending on how accurate your quarterback is.
Figure 9 - Williams prepares to make the catch as the ball approaches.
Figure 10 - Williams leaps into the air to make the catch with the defender stuck behind.
Figure 11 - This time, we are going to look to hit one of the streaking receivers over the middle of the field.
Figure 12 - We throw a bullet pass to Givens as he streaks near the left hash. The key to completing this pass against zones is knowing when to make the throw. You must be careful to not throw the ball too early or too late. In this particular example we are throwing over the head of the linebacker and underneath the deep safety coverage. Also, you will need to work on clicking on the receiver and making the catch manually because proper timing of the throw isn't always enough to get a completion.
Figure 13 - We manually click on Givens and prepare to make the leaping catch. The reason you will want to click on for this throw is because the computer will not provide you with the same type of jumping animation that you are able to do.
Figure 14 - Givens raises up to make the catch in traffic.
Figure 15 - In this example, the Colts switched to a man to man defense just before the snap, attempting to throw our reads off. We can still hit Williams as he heads to the corner against man to man defenses. However, we are going to play it safe and look underneath to make sure we get positive yardage.
Figure 16 - We immediately turn the attention of Young to receiver Bobby Wade as he prepares to break on his slant curl route.
Figure 17 - We make the high throw with Young to Wade just as he begins to break back towards us.
Figure 18 - Wade makes the 4 yard catch with plenty of room to gain a few extra yards before being taken down.
Final Conlcusion
The HB Option is another play that we saw tear apart the Madden Community in past versions of Madden because of all the options on the field. This play may be designed to beat zone defense, but you'll find that it works against man to man defenses just as well when perfected. Head on into practice mode to see what this play can do for you.
