Playbooks

Mtn Zone Split

Shotgun·Deuce Close·12
MotionInside ZoneRun PlayZone Run
Play diagram for Mtn Zone Split from Shotgun Deuce Close in Madden 27

Quick Reference

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Breakdown

Mtn Zone Split is an inside zone run out of Shotgun Deuce Close with 12 personnel that uses pre-snap motion to shift numbers into the box before the snap. The offensive line executes a standard inside zone blocking scheme, with the play side combo blocks working to displace the front and create a vertical crease for the HB to press. This is strictly a run play designed to attack light boxes, and the primary read is the HB reading the play side double team into the second level, keying the flow of the linebackers before deciding between the A gap and a cutback lane.

Defensive Reads

Check the free safety depth before the snap, since a single high safety with the box loaded signals man coverage on the outside and a run blitz look up the middle Watch how the second level linebackers react to the pre-snap motion, if they crash down hard toward the motion man it opens a cutback lane away from the flow Identify nano blitz packages pre-snap by looking for a linebacker cheating up into the A or B gap, this play struggles against a well timed interior blitz that beats the double team before it forms This run beats light boxes and passive zone fronts that spread out to cover the pass, but it gets stuffed by gap sound eight man fronts or a user spy sitting in the A gap reading the mesh point Post-snap, key the play side linebacker's shoulders, if he flows hard with the zone action the cutback lane behind him becomes the higher percentage read for the HB

Usage Tips

Use the pre-snap motion to identify if the defense is in man or zone, since a linebacker or safety following the motion man across the formation confirms man coverage and tells you the box is likely honest for the run

Attack this play against base 4-3 or 3-4 fronts with only six or seven defenders in the box, since inside zone loses value against heavy eight man fronts

Pair this call with Mtn RPO Zone Stick or RPO Read Mtn Stick in the same set so the defense has to respect both the run action and the quick game off identical formation and motion, forcing linebackers to hesitate

Run this on early downs, first and ten or second and short, when you want to stay ahead of the chains and set up play action shots later in the series

If the defense is stacking the box after seeing motion on previous snaps, check to Bench Swap or Exit Dagger from the same personnel to keep them honest

Other Plays in Deuce Close