Kobra's Corner: HB Angle Route Part 1

February 5, 2009

By Paul "Kobra" Gleason

Don't for get to check out this week's video here on the Madden NFL 09 landing page.

In this week's Kobra's Corner, I want to start a two part write up that showcases the HB Angle Route. For those that aren't familiar with this route, this is good time to learn the route and start using it.



The play we use is the Gun Spread Curl Flats. The Curl Flat passing concept is a very popular in real football at all levels. However this write up is not about the Curl Flats, instead it's about the angle route run by the HB.



For this breakdown, the defense used is the Dollar Normal Cover 3. Notice there are three defenders dropping in hook zones. Based on the play diagram, you would think this defense would have the LOLB or DB4 in position to defend angle route. However, that is not the case.



Initially the HB runs towards the flat. Notice the LOLB and DB4 drop back in there hook zones. They do this because no receivers come into their hook zone responsibilities.



This leaves the HB open once he breaks towards the middle on his angle route.



We throw a hard bullet pass as he makes his cut towards the short mid middle of the field.



We make the catch and head up the field for an 8 yard pick up.

Final Thoughts

As good as the HB Angle route is at beating both man and zone coverage, there are some zone defenses out there that can actually shut it down. Next week in our HB Angle Part 2 write up, we will look at one defense that counters it, and then look at how to still get the HB open on the angle route against that same defense.