Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Lead Read Option is a run-first read option out of Pistol Weak Slot Open with 20 personnel on the field. The line blocks a zone scheme to the play side while the QB reads the edge defender, either keeping the ball on the give path or pulling it to attack the perimeter with the lead blocker in front. This is a pure run play with no route concept attached in this diagram, so the primary read progression is simply the QB's mesh read on the unblocked edge defender to decide give or keep.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, count the box, if the defense has seven or more defenders stacked in the box this run gets negative value quickly. Key the play side edge defender's first step, if he squeezes down inside to take away the dive, the QB should pull and get to the perimeter. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, downhill blitzing linebackers can beat this play to the mesh point before the read develops. User-controlled defenders spying the QB or sitting outside contain will shut down the keep option, so the give read becomes mandatory in that look. Man coverage on the perimeter with no extra run support in the box is the best shell to attack, since it usually means fewer bodies funneling to either run lane.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs when you need a manageable gain and want to keep the defense honest against your play-action shots in this set like PA Boot Slide and PA Short Post.
Check the box count before the snap, if the defense has a light box with only six or fewer in the tackle box, this is a green light run.
Watch the alignment of the defensive end or edge defender to the play side, if he is crashing hard down the line pre-snap on the snap count, plan to pull the ball on the keep read immediately.
Pair this with Zone Alert Bubble or Jet Touch Pass earlier in a series to get defenders flowing fast, then come back to Lead Read Option to punish overaggressive linebackers.
Avoid calling this into stacked fronts with extra defenders in the box, since the numbers advantage disappears and both the give and keep lanes get clogged.
