Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Dbl Mtn HB Stretch is an outside zone run out of Pistol Bunch that sends the HB laterally toward the play side with the offensive line executing zone steps to reach and seal the edge. The diagram shows the bunch receivers running shallow crossing routes underneath to occupy or pull defenders away from the point of attack, clearing the alley for the stretch action. This is a zone run play with a single, clear read: press the line, locate the first crease off the edge, and decide whether to bounce it outside or cut it up inside based on how the defensive front flows.
Defensive Reads
Watch for linebacker flow before the snap, since fast flowing linebackers who overpursue the stretch action open up cutback lanes for the HB. Identify the play side defensive end alignment, because a wide nine technique forces the HB to bend the run inside rather than trying to bounce it outside. Look for an unblocked edge defender staying home instead of crashing, which signals the defense is playing stretch disciplined and will require a cutback read. Key the safety rotation post-snap, since a safety filling downhill quickly means the defense has diagnosed the run and the cutback lane will close fast. This play struggles against interior blitzes and gap exchange fronts where linebackers stay square and read instead of flowing hard to the sideline.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion out of the bunch to identify whether the defense is playing man or zone, since a defender following the motion man confirms man coverage and tells you the edge defender is more likely to get sealed one on one. Call this against light boxes or when the defense shows six or fewer in the box, since the stretch scheme depends on winning numbers on the perimeter. Hot route the play side receiver into a quick stalk block if you see the corner sitting close to the line, giving your zone blockers extra time to reach the edge. Pair this with Dbl Mtn PA Stretch from the same set so the defense has to respect both the run action and the play-action boot off identical zone steps. Stick to early down-and-distance calls like first and ten or second and short, since a stuffed stretch run puts you behind schedule against aggressive fronts.
