Playbooks

Same Side Zone

Shotgun·Doubles Y Off Nasty·11

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 2 playbooks

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Breakdown

Same Side Zone is a run play out of Shotgun Doubles Y Off Nasty that sends the offensive line and both the fullback/extra blocker (Nasty tag) flowing to the same side as the running back's aiming point, creating a numbers advantage at the point of attack. This is a true zone run play, not a play-action or RPO look, so the backfield action is clean zone blocking with the tight end often released to the play side to help seal the edge. The primary read progression for the running back is playside cutback lane first, then bounce to the alley if the frontside gets clogged, then backside cutback as the last resort if the defense overloads the play side.

Defensive Reads

Watch for the strong safety creeping down into the box pre-snap, that is your first sign of an extra run defender rotating to the called side. Identify linebacker depth and shoulder turn at the snap, linebackers flowing hard playside with square shoulders open up the backside cutback lane. This play struggles against gap exchange fronts and odd stacks that plug both A gaps, since the zone blockers have no clean double team to climb off of. Look for cornerback alignment on the play side receiver, if the corner is playing outside leverage in press it signals man coverage and the edge defender may be occupied in coverage rather than the run fit. Beware of a Mike linebacker or slot defender showing blitz with tight alignment to the play side, that is a nano blitz look designed to beat zone blocking before the running back can even make his first read.

Usage Tips

Run this out of 11 personnel when you see light boxes with six or fewer defenders in the run fit, since the zone flow overwhelms light fronts fast.

Check safety depth before the snap, if both safeties are deep in a two high shell you likely have a plus one blocker in the box and should stick with the called side.

Use the direction hot route or flip the play if the defense shows a heavy shade to the called side, since Same Side Zone loses value when the defense is already stacked to that gap.

Pair this with Inside Zone and Outside Zone in your play-calling sequence so the defense cannot key run direction based on formation tendencies alone.

Mix in RPO Zone Read Bubble or PA Y Cross from the same set after two or three successful zone runs to punish linebackers who start cheating downhill.

Other Plays in Doubles Y Off Nasty