Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Cheat Outside Zone runs the ball to the field side out of a Bunch Offset look, with the offensive line and TE flowing laterally to stretch the edge and cut off backside pursuit. The bunch receiver motions pre-snap and runs a vertical stem to occupy the deep defender, while the offensive line executes zone steps to seal the perimeter for the HB. This is a zone run play, and the primary read progression is for the HB to press the line of scrimmage, read the flow of the zone blocks, and decide between bouncing outside or cutting up through the alley based on how the defense flows.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth and flow at the snap, since fast flowing linebackers who overrun the play create a natural cutback lane for the HB. Identify if the defense is running a 4-3 or 3-4 front with edge defenders set wide, since heavy edge alignment can clog the bounce lane and force an early cutback read. Look for a safety rotating down into the box pre-snap, which signals run support and can shut down the outside cutback if not accounted for. Beware of user-controlled defenders flying downhill from a linebacker spot, since a quick trigger on the play can blow up the zone scheme before the blocks develop. This play is most vulnerable to gap or bear fronts with heavy defensive line stunts, since penetration disrupts the zone steps before the HB can read the flow.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to identify man versus zone coverage before the snap, since a defender following the motion man across the formation confirms man coverage and opens up cutback lanes.
Attack light boxes with six or fewer defenders in the box, since the zone scheme relies on numbers advantage at the point of attack.
Pair this play with Outside Zone and Inside Zone Split earlier in a drive to establish the same zone steps, then use Cheat Outside Zone as a tempo change to hit the edge once the defense starts cheating inside.
Use the HB Draw or PA Dig from this set as complementary calls once the defense starts crashing hard to stop the edge run.
Best used on early downs (first and ten, second and short) to stay ahead of the chains and keep the defense honest against both run and pass.
