Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 15 playbooks
Breakdown
Lead Read Option is a shotgun read option run out of the 12 personnel Deuce Close set, showing the quarterback keeping the ball on a downhill path through the mesh point while the running back runs a lead path alongside him. The offensive line executes a zone blocking scheme up front, sealing gaps to create a natural running lane for the QB read at the mesh point. This is a base run play designed to attack the edge of the defense based on the read at the point of attack, not a pass or play-action concept, so the primary progression is simply the give or keep decision on the read defender.
Defensive Reads
Identify the edge defender or read key pre-snap, since his run fit determines whether the QB keep lane or the RB path develops as the primary gain. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, shallow linebackers who crash downhill fast can blow up the mesh point before the zone blocking scheme up front seals the edge. This play struggles against disciplined scrape exchange defense where the edge defender stays home on the QB and a linebacker replaces outside, so look for defenses that consistently scrape correctly. Overloaded fronts with extra defenders in the box are the biggest counter here, if the defense shows eight in the box pre-snap consider checking to a pass concept in this set instead. Post-snap, watch for user-controlled defenders flying downhill unblocked off the edge, since that is the clearest sign this run will get cut off before the read even develops.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage when you want to stay balanced and keep the defense honest against your RPO menu in this set.
Check the box count pre-snap and if the defense is showing light in the box with only six or seven defenders, this is a green light run.
Pair this play with RPO Read Cntr and RPO Alert Omaha from the same Deuce Close set so the defense has to respect both the give and the read keep, making it harder for defenders to sit on one gap.
Trust the read defender assignment and do not manually override the QB decision unless you see a clean alley open on the perimeter, since forcing the keep into a crashing edge defender kills the play.
Against aggressive user blitzers, use hot routes minimally here since this is a run designed play, and instead rely on pre-snap motion or audibles to shift the point of attack away from stacked fronts.
