Stealing routes from one play and bringing into another is one way to generate some new looks on offense. In this tip, SportsGamer is going to show you how to use this feature with the help of the Strong-I 3 WR Curl Flats play. The Curl Flats is a unique play because the fullback is already running a delayed blue route out of the backfield. Check out how SportsGamer takes this route, as well as the running back's route, and brings it into another play that we audibled to.
Playbooks
Stealing routes can be done with any playbook
Figure 1 - This first picture shows you the offensive assignments for the Strong-I 3 WR Curl Flats play. We want you to focus on both the running back and the fullback because we want to take the routes that these two are performing and bring them into a different play from the I-Formation.
Figure 2 - The next step we take is audibling to I-Form Normal TE Option play. However, we want to include the two routes in the backfield that were in the Strong-I 3 WR Curl Flats play. To steal those two routes you need to press (Y + up, then Y + up for the XBOX / Triangle + up, then Triangle + up for the PS2).
Figure 3 - Both routes in the backfield from the Curl Flats play have now been brought into this play. However, you don't have to stop here with the adjustments. Once you have stolen the two routes you can formation shift to another formation that will place your fullback on the line of scrimmage. Take a look at Figure 4 to see what we mean.
Figure 4 - Notice how we have formation shifted to a Singleback Normal formation to get out fullback's route out wide. There are plenty of playbooks that allow you to formation shift a 2RB set to a Singleback formation, so be sure to check your playbook to see what you can do. This may not be the best play to steal routes into, but we wanted to show you this play to give you an idea of just how many different looks you can show your opponent.
Stealing Receiver's Routes
The process of "Stealing Routes" can also be done in reverse. If you want to get a receiver's route at the running back or fullback position simply come out in a three or four wide receiver set. Next, audible to a 2RB set, then press (Y + up, then Y + up for the XBOX / Triangle + up, then Triangle + up for the PS2) and you will have the receiver's route in the backfield now.
Figure 5 - As we drop back to pass you can see the highlighted fullback performing the delayed blue route move to the inside to try to make a block.
Figure 6 - The first read on this play is the running back moving into the flats on the left side of the field. Then, we look to the tight end curling over the middle of the field.
Figure 7 - The last read we make is the fullback as he releases upfield. We make a high pass to to put the ball in a spot that only our player can catch.
Figure 8 - The fullback jumps up to make the catch over the defender.
Final Conlcusion
There is almost an unlimited number of plays that are available to you when you "Steal Routes" from one play to another. However, the key is to stealing routes is deciding which ones will work the best with your style of offense. In the upcoming weeks, we will begin breaking down plays that are some of the most beneficial when stealing routes. In the meantime, head into practice mode and start working on creating all kinds of different looks for your opponents.
