Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
QB Wrap out of Shotgun Bunch TE is a designed QB run that sends the quarterback wrapping around the play side edge behind a lead blocker, with the bunch alignment (two receivers and a TE stacked tight) pulling defenders away from the point of attack. The offensive line down blocks to seal the interior while the HB leads through the hole, giving the QB a run lane to the strong side. This is a designed QB run built to attack light boxes and aggressive slot corners, not a pass concept, so the primary read is the edge defender: if he crashes down, the QB bends it outside behind his lead blocker, and if he stays home the QB cuts up through the vacated inside lane.
Defensive Reads
Watch the edge defender and outside linebacker leverage before the snap, if they are shaded wide to respect the bunch receivers the inside lane opens up for the QB. Post snap, key the play side linebacker's downhill trigger, a slow reading linebacker gets sealed and creates a big gain. This play struggles against contain based defenses where the edge defender stays disciplined and forces the QB to cut back into traffic. User controlled defenders spying the QB from depth can erase this play quickly, so avoid calling it when the defense shows a clear QB spy alignment. Overloaded run blitzes with extra second level defenders crashing the line neutralize the lead block and stop this play behind the line of scrimmage.
Usage Tips
Call this on second or third and short when the defense shows a light box or a two high shell with the linebackers sitting deep in coverage drops.
Check the alignment of the edge defender and slot corner before the snap, if either is crashing hard on run support this play can bounce outside easily.
Use this play as a changeup after running Read Option or HB Off Tackle from the same set so the defense has to respect both the mesh point and the direct QB wrap look.
Mix in Bunch Levels or Mtn TE Corner as play action complements from the same formation to keep the defense honest against the bunch look.
Avoid calling this against heavy blitz packages with extra defenders stacked in the box, since the QB has no outlet and takes on more risk than the HB run game.
