Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Outside Zone from Shotgun Doubles Y-Flex Offset is a zone run play design that sends the offensive line flowing laterally in unison with the HB stepping toward the play side before pressing the edge. The diagram shows the HB taking a lateral path behind the line with the intent to read blocks from the backside cutback lane all the way to the play side edge, giving the runner a full-field option based on how the defensive front flows. This is a pure run play with no play-action or RPO element attached, and the primary read progression is backside cutback first, then play side bounce if the edge defender gets sealed.
Defensive Reads
Watch the defensive line stunts and A gap blitzers presnap, since Outside Zone struggles against interior twists that clog the frontside gap before the line can climb to the second level. Key the play side linebacker depth, if he is sitting tight to the line in a run fit he will likely flow hard and take away the bounce, forcing you to cut back immediately. Look for safety rotation into the box, an eight man front with both safeties creeping down signals a run blitz and you should be ready to check into a pass concept. This run struggles against gap exchange and cross fire blitzes from the edge defenders since they attack the running lane before zone blockers can climb. It beats light boxes and defenses playing two deep zone shells that keep only six or seven defenders in the run fit, since your blockers get clean angles to the second level linebackers.
Usage Tips
Run this out of a base personnel look on early downs to keep the defense honest against your Doubles Y-Flex Offset pass concepts like Four Verticals or Curl Combo. Check the defensive front pre-snap for gap displacement, if the defensive tackles are shaded into wide gaps you want to bounce this outside rather than trying to force it inside. Use manual control on your fullback or lead blocker if available to seal the edge defender and create a wider cutback lane for the HB. Pair this with HB Draw and Inside Zone from the same set so defenders cannot key run direction based on formation alone. Best called on second and short or first and ten to stay ahead of the chains, and effective in short yardage third down situations against light boxes.
