Playbooks

Tear QB Zone

Shotgun·Deuce·12
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This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 1 playbook

Franchise Offense Sharedcoach3Offense

Breakdown

Tear QB Zone is a designed quarterback run out of Shotgun Deuce 12 personnel, built on a zone blocking scheme that lets the offensive line flow laterally while the QB reads the edge defender for a give or keep. This is not a pass concept at all: it is a pure run play that leans on the offensive line climbing to the second level while the running back and tight ends provide flow-away misdirection to hold linebackers. The primary read is the quarterback's own progression: identify the play side end or edge defender, then decide between cutting up through the designed lane or bouncing outside based on how the line seals the point of attack.

Defensive Reads

Watch linebacker depth before the snap: stacked or crashing linebackers signal an aggressive run blitz that can be gashed if the QB reads the alley correctly and gets skinny through the crease. Check for a 4-3 under or 3-4 odd front with a heavy edge presence, since those fronts can clog the designed running lane and force a bounce outside. Identify whether the defense is playing spill or contain technique with the edge defender, as spill technique forces the ball outside where extra numbers may be waiting. Look for a defensive lineman crashing hard inside on the snap, which often opens a wider running lane for a QB keep to the perimeter. This play struggles against disciplined zone read defenses that keep an unblocked defender assigned specifically to the quarterback, so if you see a spy or a defender hanging outside the tackle without committing, expect the keep lane to be taken away.

Usage Tips

Call this on early downs (first and ten or second and short) when you want to establish gap discipline pressure on the defense without exposing the QB to unnecessary hits. Check the defensive front pre-snap: if you see a light box with six or fewer defenders in the tackle box, this play has a numbers advantage and should hit for solid yardage. Use your zone read keys post-snap rather than committing to a lane immediately, since the blocking scheme is designed to develop late. Pair this with Tear Speed Option and Tear Shovel Option in the same set so the defense has to respect multiple QB run threats out of the same formation and personnel look, forcing linebackers to hesitate on run fits. Mix in RPO Read Snag or RPO Read Y Flat from this set on early downs too, so defenses cannot sit on the run keys without opening up quick throws behind them.

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