Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Duo out of Shotgun Bunch Offset Close is a power run play that uses a double team at the point of attack to seal a lane before the backside guard or center climbs to the second level. This is a downhill run play, not a man or zone beater in the passing sense, designed to punish light boxes and undisciplined linebacker fits. The primary read progression is the playside double team combo block first, then the running back reads the linebacker flow off that double team to decide between the A gap crease or bouncing to the B gap edge.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, count the box defenders and note linebacker depth, since linebackers sitting shallow at 3 to 4 yards will get to the double team faster and clog the A gap. Watch for a Mike linebacker cheating toward the play call side, which signals the defense is keying run and will fill the double team gap immediately. Post-snap, key the flow of both linebackers off the double team block, if they flow hard downhill the cutback lane opens on the backside. User-controlled defenders spying the A gap or sitting in a lurk technique near the mesh point will blow this play up, so avoid Duo when you see a defender manually creeping toward the box before the snap. Nano blitz packages and gap-exchange stunts on the play side disrupt the double team timing, so if you see stunt indicators or a defensive lineman crashing inside pre-snap, consider audibling to Read Option instead.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and only run Duo into 6 or fewer defenders in the box to avoid a numbers disadvantage.
Use the left or right stick to control the running back manually through the mesh point so you can patiently read the double team before committing to a gap.
Pair this with Y Trail or PA X Whip Crosser out of the same Bunch Offset Close set so the defense has to respect both the run action and the play-action rollout from identical formation and personnel.
Best called on early downs, first and second and short to medium, when you want to stay ahead of the sticks and set up later down and distance for the run action pass game.
Avoid Duo against defenses stacking extra defenders in the box or showing heavy blitz looks, since the double team blockers get overwhelmed and the cutback lanes disappear.
