PA HB FLAT (STOCK)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Pre-Snap (Must Watch)

3. QB Rollout

4. Crosser

5. Skinny Post

6. Deep In

7. RB Delay Out Route

8. Everything Bomb

This is the only play in the Ebook that has a special introduction, and that’s because PA HB Flat quite simply is the reason this scheme exists. It has become my “PA Boot Over” and I truly believe this is one of the best plays in Madden 22. In the sections below, I break down every route on the play because every single one of them is a viable option for picking up huge yards.

In terms of numbers, at the time I made this Ebook I’ve averaged 15.5 yards per play with PA HB Flat on over 3500 snaps. If you can EXPECT to gain over 15 yards every time you snap the ball, then I’d say you’re doing pretty well. I strongly recommend studying all the breakdowns for PA HB Flat, because mastering this play can make your borderline unstoppable.

These pre-snap adjustments allow us to glitch out the defense’s contains and are CRUCIAL to getting the maximum effectiveness out of this play. If you make these adjustments as soon as you break the huddle, then you can quick snap your opponent and catch them off guard.

Alignment

Trips receivers always lined up on the side opposite of your QB’s throwing hand

Setup

1. Slide the O-line to the side of the QB’s throwing hand (Lb/L1 + left or right on the right stick)

2. Block the TE (Y/Triangle, A/X, right trigger)

The QB rollout is our primary “run” in this scheme, and it’s made possible by glitching out the defense’s contains (see above). To get the fastest and smoothest rollout animation possible, practice pressing the sprint button (RT/R2) as the running passes by the QB on the play action. At the same time, point your left stick sideways in the direction of your QB’s throwing hand, and you will get outside the pocket quickly. Having Escape Artist will make this technique less important, but even with Escape Artist we can get faster rollout animations using this technique.

While we will typically rollout to the side of the QB’s throwing hand, it’s also important to remember that we can catch our opponent off guard by rolling out in the opposite direction, especially if they aren’t using a QB spy or playing any defenders in the flat on that side.

The crosser is our first read every time. It beats man coverage (especially if you have Route Technician or Slot-O-Matic), which means your opponent must either user it or put a defender in a deep flat zone to cover it. Hit the crosser every time your opponent leaves it open, and once you do that, the extra attention it commands will open up the other routes on this play.

The skinny post is one of the best deep routes in the game and our second read on this play. It destroys Cover 2 and often can beat Cover 3 as well. Throwing this route is considerably riskier than throwing any of the other routes, so I strongly recommend getting lots of reps in and only throwing it if you believe it’s wide open. That being said, once you master reading the skinny post, you’ll find yourself launching one play touchdowns with ease.

The deep in route is our third read and fits in perfectly with the rest of the routes on this play. While everything else is going deep or to a sideline, the Deep In sits right in the middle of the field in a spot your opponent will often leave wide open.

CAUTION: Once you throw this route a couple times, users will often try to bait an interception by initially running with the crosser, and then turning around and covering the deep in route. Watch their user carefully before you throw the ball, and if you see them turn around, throw to the crosser that they now left open.

This delay out route from the running back might be the best checkdown route in the game. You can throw it before the break, just after the break, or from the complete opposite side of the field depending on the situation. As long as your RB has decent speed, this route will beat man coverage and be an absolute thorn in your opponent’s side. To get a bit more advanced with it, you can choose to rollout to the side of the delay out route and playmaker the RB upfield with the right stick, which is a great counter for when your opponent start putting a defender in a hard flat on that side.