Playbooks

Mtn HB Zone Wk

Pistol·Wing Slot·12

Quick Reference

FormationPistol

In 4 playbooks

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Breakdown

Mtn HB Zone Wk is a zone run play out of Pistol Wing Slot with 12 personnel, sending the HB weak to attack the edge with a stretch style zone blocking scheme. The offensive line executes zone steps to the weak side, sealing the edge while the fullback or extra TE work combo blocks up to the second level to clear lanes for the linebackers. The primary read progression for the ball carrier is backside cutback first, then bend it outside if the playside edge is sealed, since zone weak is designed to give the runner multiple lanes based on how defenders flow.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify the linebacker depth and spacing, since stacked or crashing linebackers can immediately blow up the zone weak concept before the blocks develop Watch the defensive end and outside linebacker on the play side edge, if they crash down hard the cutback lane opens for a big gain This play beats base 4-3 and 3-4 fronts with light boxes and is vulnerable to run blitzes or contain plays like a nano blitz off the edge that get penetration before the zone blocks set User controlled defenders flowing hard to the play side create the biggest cutback windows, so watch for a user linebacker abandoning the backside gap Against a stacked eight man box or aggressive gap scheme defense, this run gets stuffed quickly, so check the box count and consider an audible if the defense loads up

Usage Tips

Run this out of a normal personnel look early in the game to establish tendency before mixing in Mtn PA Verts or Mtn PA Slide off the same formation for play-action misdirection

Check the defensive front pre-snap and look for light boxes with six or fewer defenders in the box, since Mtn HB Zone Wk thrives against light fronts and struggles behind heavy stacked fronts

Use the weak side flow to set up backside cutback lanes if the defense is aggressively flowing playside, and manually control the HB after the handoff to press the hole before cutting

Pair this play in a sequence with Read Option Wk and Zone Fake Jet from the same set to keep linebackers guessing on zone run fits versus RPO and misdirection

Best used on early downs like first and ten or second and short when defenses are not selling out on the pass, and avoid calling it into a nine or ten man box on short yardage goal line stands

Other Plays in Wing Slot