Control method for a powertrain during a transition period of engine play

In this method (100) for controlling a powertrain of a vehicle comprising at least one step (20) of calculating a preventive torque of an internal combustion engine to limit jerks of the powertrain, the preventive torque depending on a driver setpoint, this calculation step (20) comprising a state of traversing engine backlash when said torque is between a first threshold and a second threshold, at least one of the thresholds of the method (100) is defined as a function of a modified setpoint whose value is constant when the calculation step is in the state of traversing engine backlash and which is equal to that of the driver setpoint at the instant of entering this state.