Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Zone out of Pistol Doubles is a straightforward inside zone run play with 11 personnel, showing a single back offset behind the QB and two receivers stacked wide on each side with no routes run since the play is a run concept. The offensive line executes a zone blocking scheme, working in tandem to climb to the second level and seal off linebackers while the HB reads the frontside cutback lanes. This is a run play designed to hit inside gaps, with the primary read being the playside double team and B-gap crease before working backside if the frontside is clogged.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth pre-snap, if they are sitting shallow and stacked tight to the box they are keying run and will fill gaps fast. Identify if the defense is in a 4-3 or 3-4 front, odd fronts with a nose tackle can clog the interior zone lanes and force the back outside. Post-snap, key the playside defensive end and linebacker flow, if they crash hard inside the cutback lane backside is wide open. This play struggles against heavy blitz packages and run blitzes that send extra defenders into the box before the snap. Look for user-controlled defenders spying the HB or crashing down the line, as a skilled user can blow up the zone read before the back reaches the line of scrimmage.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs like first and second down to stay balanced and keep the defense honest against your pass-heavy Doubles concepts.
Check the box count pre-snap, if the defense has six or more in the box, consider audibling to a perimeter run or hitting a quick pass instead.
Send the backside WR on a jet motion or use manual motion to identify if the defense is playing man or zone based on how the defender reacts.
Pair this play with PA Ctr Waggle or PA Boot from the same formation so the defense has to respect the run fake, opening up boot action passes off the same look.
Mix in HB Dive and HB Counter from this set to keep linebackers guessing on gap direction, then hit HB Zone once they start flowing hard to one side.
