Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Split Zone from Pistol Ace Double Wing lines up with double wing personnel tight to the formation and the HB offset in the pistol backfield, giving the play a full inside zone blocking scheme with an added split flow element from one of the wings crashing back across the formation to seal the backside edge. This is a pure zone run play, not a play-action or RPO, designed to attack the alley created between the double wing's kick out block and the frontside double team at the point of attack. The primary read progression for the ball carrier starts at the frontside double team, working to the backside cutback lane if the split flow blocker seals the edge defender inside.
Defensive Reads
Watch the play side defensive end and outside linebacker before the snap, since a wide alignment invites the kick out block while a tight alignment forces the ball carrier to bend it back inside. Key the middle linebacker's first step, if he flows hard toward the play side gap the backside cutback lane created by split flow becomes the higher percentage read. Identify whether the defense is in a one high or two high safety shell, since a single high safety with an eight man front can outnumber the blocking scheme and shut this run down. Look for a user controlled defender spying the backfield or crashing down hard off the edge, which signals the defense anticipates split flow action and may leave the cutback lane wide open. Check for run blitzes from the second level, since a delayed blitzer through the frontside gap can blow up the double team before the double wing's split flow block has time to seal the edge.
Usage Tips
Run this against light boxes with six or fewer defenders in the box to let the zone blocking scheme win up front without needing a numbers advantage.
Use pre-snap motion or a quick glance at the linebacker depth to confirm they have not cheated downhill, since fast flowing linebackers can beat the cutback lane before it opens.
Pair this play with Mtn Duo and HB Dive out of the same personnel group so the defense cannot key on split flow action alone, forcing linebackers to respect multiple gap schemes.
Call this on early downs, especially first and ten or second and short, to stay ahead of the chains and set up Read Option or Speed Option later in the series.
If the defense shows a stacked front with an extra defender in the box, hot route the double wing to adjust the kick out assignment or bail to a play-action concept like PA Boot to punish the aggression.
