Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Inside Zone out of Shotgun Doubles Off Close is a true zone run play with the offensive line blocking a zone scheme step, working double teams at the point of attack before climbing to the second level linebackers. The diagram shows the HB taking a shallow angle off the QB's hand off, hitting the interior gap based on the flow of the offensive line's zone steps. This is a downhill run play, not a play-action or RPO look, and the primary read is the running back's aiming point, which starts at the playside A gap and bends backside if the frontside is clogged based on defensive line penetration and linebacker fill.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a 3 technique defensive tackle shooting the playside A gap immediately at the snap, since that is the first sign of a run blitz designed to blow up zone steps. Key the playside linebacker depth before the snap, if he is stacked tight behind the defensive line he is likely scraping fast to fill the alley. Identify single high safety shells like Cover 3 or Cover 1, since these often bring an extra hat into the box and can outnumber your zone blocking scheme. Look for defensive ends crashing hard inside on stunts or twists, which opens the cutback lane for the running back to bend it backside. Watch user controlled linebackers flowing too aggressively playside, since a patient one cut read can gash them once they overpursue.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and only run this into light boxes with six or fewer defenders in the tackle to tackle area.
Use your zone read logic mentally even without an RPO tag by watching the 3 technique and playside linebacker before you commit the stick to a lane.
Pair this with RPO Glance Slant and RPO Zone Alert Glance from the same set so defenses cannot sit on the run fit without opening up throwing lanes.
Run this on early downs like first and ten or second and medium to stay ahead of the sticks and keep defenses honest against your play action shots later in the set.
Use manual user control on a puller or the fullback lead blocker if your personnel allows it to seal an edge defender crashing down too fast.
Avoid this call into stacked run fronts with two high safeties rotating down late, since that usually signals extra run support defenders.
