Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
F Lead Read Option is a read option run play out of the Pistol Strong formation with 21 personnel. The diagram shows the fullback leading through the hole as a blocker while the QB reads the play side end man on the line, either handing off to the HB on the give path or pulling it to keep and attack the edge himself. The offensive line blocks down and to the play side, sealing the interior for a downhill run lane, making this a base run play designed to attack light boxes and force the defense to respect both the dive and the QB keep.
Defensive Reads
Watch the play side defensive end pre-snap, if he is crashing hard down the line every play the QB keep read becomes an easy pull for explosive yardage. Key the play side linebacker depth, if he is sitting shallow and reading the mesh point he can blow up both the dive and the keep, so look for him to be out of position before calling this. Check safety alignment for run support, a safety cheating down into the box pre-snap signals the defense is loading up to stop this exact concept. Look for defenses in odd fronts or 3-4 looks with a true edge defender assigned to the QB, since disciplined read option defense from a scraping backer or DE kills this play. User-controlled players flying downhill immediately at the snap can be baited by the fake to the HB if the QB sells the mesh point and keeps his eyes up for the edge.
Usage Tips
Check the box count pre-snap and only run this into light boxes with six or fewer defenders in the box since the fullback lead blocker needs room to work.
Identify whether the defense is crashing the read key hard, if the end is squeezing down every snap you can start pulling the ball more often on the keep.
Use the left analog stick to manually control the fullback lead blocker in short yardage or red zone situations to pick your gap based on the flow of the linebackers.
Pair this play with HB Power or Ravens Power in the same set so the defense has to respect both gap schemes and the read option look out of the same personnel and formation.
Best used on early downs (first or second and short to medium) when defenses are still base personnel and have not substituted in extra DBs that speed up run fits.
