Reflex

Description

Reflex is a relatively simple play designed to reliably get the wide receivers open for easy passes over the middle. It tends to get 10-12 yards when the routes are able to fully develop, making it excellent for converting 3rd and long. The tight ends and flankers start by running away from the center in a burst, spreading out the defense. Then the flankers break sharply back to the inside, usually leaving man coverage behind them. This leaves the quarterback with an easy read and throw, just needing to watch out for any linebackers lurking in zone coverage.

The primary targets are the flankers after they make their breaks to the inside. The tight ends are usually too slow to make effective targets, but do a good job drawing the safeties to the deep corners, away from the shallow middle where the flankers will end up. Once in a while you may be able to hit a TE on a blitz or just catch a defender out of position.

While this play is one of my favorites, it has slightly fallen out of favor with me during my latest seasons played on the All Madden level of difficulty. On All Madden, defenses can often get a good pass rush without a blitz, while DBs are able to stick close to receivers regardless of the routes they run. This means that while Reflex has time to develop and get players open on All Pro or lower, on All Madden Reflex seems much more prone to sacks, battered QBs, and passes deflected by DBs the receivers can't shake. Reflex is meant to be reliable rather than explosive, and it simply isn't reliable enough for my tastes on the All Madden setting. If you play on easier settings though, or against human players, this play should work well.

Player Assignments

See the Madden Playbook Guide for a description of these symbols.

Read Progression

1. Left flanker to outside
2. Right flanker to outside
3. Left TE quick corner
4. Right TE quick corner
5. Left flanker after break
6. Right flanker after break

Although the flankers are the primary targets to look for after they make their breaks, it's important to look for them quickly after the snap in case the defense brings pressure, and the routes do not have time to fully develop. In some cases you only need a few yards, and in these situations the 2-5 yards the flankers will get on their quick outs will be all you want. These may also be the better options if the defenders are playing off or to the inside.

Analysis

Pros:

• Two primary symmetric patterns makes the play very easy to learn and read
• Sharp breaks made by flankers almost always lose their defender in man coverage
• 3 or 4 "primary" targets makes play easy to learn

Cons:

• Primary routes take a while to develop, meaning lots of pressure can disrupt the play
• RB does a lousy job pass blocking, getting the way of the QB as much as pass rushers (occasionally I've even had the RB block me into a defender!) Sometimes it helps to call a blocking hot read to either side for the RB
• Not very effective on the All Madden difficulty level against the CPU, due to defenders doing a much better job sticking to WRs, as well as getting good pressure without needing to blitz