Offensive Hot Routes

Remember that you can only make one hot route before getting to the line in Madden NFL 16. For all other offensive hot routes, you must wait until the QB finishes his animation before inputting another.

Check-and-Release — This blue route tells your back to help block before releasing to the flat.

Comeback — A route for outside WRs that runs about 15 yards downfield before turning around.

Curl — The WR starts out on a straight pattern and turns around sharply after 8–10 yards.

Drag — A drag runs straight across the field after a 2-yard move forward.

Fade — This route starts the WR moving a few steps towards the sideline and then runs straight downfield.

Flat — A short route by the HB that runs to the flat and gives the QB a short option near the sideline.

Hitch — Similar to the curl route but runs shorter and is only available on the inside.

In — The receiver runs straight for 8 yards before cutting 90 degrees towards the middle of the field. This is the opposite of an out route.

Option — A route by the HB that gives the player the option to sit underneath zone or continue towards the sideline against man-to-man.

Out — The receiver runs straight for 8 yards before cutting 90 degrees towards the sideline. This is the opposite of an in route.

Slant — This route starts like a streak for a few steps and then breaks sharply at an angle across the field.

Smart Route — By pressing down on the right stick, you can tell your WR to run his route to the first down marker. This is great for third-and-long plays where the standard route won’t run far enough downfield.

Smoke Screen — The WR on the outside turns towards the QB to quickly catch the pass and get upfield. This route is best against defenses that are playing far back off the receiver.

Streak — This route runs straight downfield (a.k.a. a “go” or “9” route).

Swing — The back in the backfield will swing out to the left or right.

Wheel — This route starts like a flat route but cuts upfield on a streak once it reaches the sideline.

Zig — A zig appears to start like a slant route, but the receiver pivots and cuts back to the outside towards the sideline.