Playbooks

Tear Shovel Option

Shotgun·Deuce·12
Likely unavailable in the playbook builder
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 Shovel Option is a run-based option play out of the Shotgun Deuce 12 personnel look, built around a shovel pass mechanic paired with an option read to the running back. The QB reads the edge defender or force player: if that defender crashes down on the shovel action, the QB pulls it and works the option keeper or pitch outside, and if the edge stays wide, the shovel goes to the underneath back for a quick gap read. This is a run/option hybrid that punishes overaggressive defensive ends and undisciplined edge players rather than beating coverage through the air.

Defensive Reads

Key the play side defensive end or outside linebacker first since his crash or contain decision determines the entire option read for the offense. Watch for a hard edge set with contain responsibility, that shuts down the keeper lane and forces the QB into the shovel every time, making the play predictable. Look for linebacker flow post-snap, if the second level defenders diagnose the shovel fast and squeeze the inside lane, this play stalls for minimal gain. This concept struggles against disciplined scrape exchange technique where the end stays home and the linebacker takes the pitch man, so a defense running a true option assignment defense neutralizes it. Beware of a user-controlled defender spying the QB, since a spy erases the keeper option and turns this into a predictable shovel handoff that the defense can key on.

Usage Tips

Attack defenses that show run blitz or crashing DEs since the shovel option lives off overpursuit from edge defenders.

Use pre-snap motion or a quick glance at the strong safety depth to confirm the defense is not stacking the box with an extra run defender.

Pair this with Tear Speed Option and Tear QB Zone in the same set so the defense cannot key on one option-read tendency, forcing linebackers to freeze on run fits.

Best called on early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and short) where defenses are more likely to sit in base fronts instead of nickel or dime packages built to stop the pass.

If the defense shows heavy blitz pre-snap, consider hotting the option keeper read to bait the crashing end and hit the alley for a big gain.

Other Plays in Deuce