Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 12 playbooks
Breakdown
Outside Zone from Shotgun Doubles Y Off Nasty is a zone run play design that sends the entire offensive line flowing laterally to the play side while the HB takes a wide track from the backfield, pressing the edge before deciding to bend it back inside or take it outside based on the flow of the defense. The play diagram shows the line stepping in unison to the right with the HB starting slightly behind and outside the tackle, reading blocks from the playside tackle inward. Primary read progression is the playside edge and B gap: the HB presses outside to force flow, then reads the first down block off the line before either bouncing outside or cutting up through the seam created by the zone steps.
Defensive Reads
Look for light boxes with six or fewer defenders in the box presnap, this is the green light to run Outside Zone since it means the defense is playing pass first. Watch the playside linebacker depth: if he is sitting at five yards or deeper he has more time to flow and fill the cutback lane, which favors staying wide. Identify Mike linebacker run fits post snap, if he flows hard playside without hesitation the cutback lane opens up behind him. Be wary of defenses that show a 4-3 Under front or bear front with extra beef on the play side, these alignments clog the zone stretch and force negative plays if the HB does not cut back quickly. Watch for edge defenders crashing down hard on zone reads, since a fast crash key often means a user spy or contain defender is waiting to blow up the bounce outside.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and short) when you have positive personnel matchups on the edge and want to establish run tendencies before mixing in play-action shots. Presnap, check the box count and the alignment of the playside defensive end, if he is crashing hard inside or lined up wide in a 9 technique, that tells you whether to press the cutback lane or the true edge. Motion or shift the TE if the defense shows an overload front to the play side, this can help you identify if the defense is stacking the run gap you are attacking. Pair this with Inside Zone and Counter Y from the same set to keep linebackers guessing on gap direction while using the same personnel and formation look. Against aggressive user defenders shooting gaps, use your control player as the HB and manually decide the cut point rather than relying purely on the assigned lane, since Madden zone blocking will not always seal a gap defender who jumps early.
