In this Madden 15 tip video Ccpr53 breaks down how he ran Strong Close Y Trail throughout the GamerSaloon MUT Tournament. This play can be found in many playbooks as Strong Close has been a popular formation over the years. This is a great play when coupling all of the reads together to give your opponents fits no matter what coverage(s) they are in.
Adjustments:
- Sub a pass catching FB/TE/RB into the FB position
- Use a big wideout on the fade route
- Place the FB spot in a wheel route
Your reads on this play will vary by different coverages, but the key to this all is the ability to throw all 4 routes. By doing this you will open this play up tremendously.
ZONE READ
Against a zone read (cover 3+) your first read here may be to take a chance deep down the field to the fade route using the rocket catch (as described in the video below). Doing this will open up your crossing routes later on as you begin to force a double team on the WR on the fade. Otherwise if you choose to play it safe my first read vs zone coverage is to dump it off to the wheel route quickly once he begins his break up field. My only read on this is to see if the defense has someone defending the flat on that side. If they do not, throw away to the wheel, but if they do then progress your reads to the slant or trail route.
Additionally if you are not seeing your opponent get a nice outside contain please feel free to roll out towards the wheel and make a read to either suck the defender down and throw the wheel or just free with the QB.
If you see a cover 2 style defense (cover 2, cover 2 sink, cover 2 invert) your money plays here will be pass leading to the fade route or having some patience and watch the wheel route streak wide open down the sideline. As always if you see one of the crossing routes get open feel free to throw it.
MAN READ
Against man coverage your options are slightly more limited with only 2 man beating routes (slant and trail). Your opponent will likely key in on these, so if you see heavy man coverage then feel free to NOT wheel the FB route and you can hit him for a few quick yards everytime.
The fade route is still throwable vs man, but slightly more dangerous. Be sure to practice the rocket catch quite a bit before taking it out onto the field for live gameplay.
Check out the video for more details on how to run this play!
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