Playbooks

Mid Zone

Shotgun·Bunch·11

Quick Reference

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Breakdown

Mid Zone out of Shotgun Bunch is a zone run play that uses the bunch formation to create natural rub blocking angles at the second level. The offensive line executes a mid zone blocking scheme, stepping in unison toward the play side while the bunch receivers occupy defenders near the line of scrimmage, making it harder for linebackers to flow freely. The primary read progression for the ball carrier starts with the frontside double team, then works to the play side linebacker fit, and finally kicks back to the cutback lane if the backside is sealed.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, check for a stacked box with linebackers creeping to the play side, this signals a run blitz that can beat zone blocking before double teams form Identify single high versus two high safety shells, single high alignments often mean an extra run defender near the box which hurts this play's cutback lanes Watch cornerback depth on the bunch side, if corners are playing aggressive man press they may crash down on run support and open up cutback lanes to the opposite side Post-snap, key the play side linebacker's first step, if he stays square and reads mesh point he is a scheme fit problem for zone runs and forces an immediate cutback read User controlled defenders flowing hard downhill pre-snap are the biggest threat, if the user commits early to the box look to bounce the run outside the frontside double team Beats light boxes and zone coverage shells that respect the bunch pass concepts, gets shut down by inside run blitzes and stacked fronts that outnumber the blocking scheme

Usage Tips

Run this out of run heavy personnel and early down and distance to keep the defense honest against Bunch formation tendencies

Check the box count before the snap, if the defense has six or more in the box audible to a perimeter play like HB Sweep or End Around instead

Use the bunch alignment to your advantage by letting the receivers naturally chip second level defenders on their way to their route stems if this is tagged as a run pass mix

Pair Mid Zone with Inside Zone and Cheat Inside Zone in the same set to keep linebacker flow guessing since all three plays start with similar mesh points

Mix in RPO Zone Alert Cheat from the same formation so defenses cannot sit on run fits without opening up a bubble or slant window

Vision the frontside gap first, then patiently press the mesh point so the offensive line can climb to the second level before committing to a lane

Other Plays in Bunch