Playbooks
Mtn Inside Zone Split is a run play out of Shotgun Doubles Y Off WK that uses an inside zone blocking scheme with a split flow backfield action to create misdirection for the linebackers. The offensive line zone blocks in unison, sliding toward the play call while the running back reads the leverage of the play side defenders, giving him a one cut and go decision between the A gap and B gap. This is a run play designed to attack light boxes and gap exchange issues, with the primary read being the frontside double team at the point of attack and the backside cutback lane if the defense flows too hard to the play call.
Watch for safeties cheating down into the box pre-snap, which signals run blitz or a heavy front designed to stop inside zone Identify Mike linebacker alignment and depth, since a linebacker sitting shallow in the A gap can blow up the frontside read before the back gets vertical Look for cornerbacks pressed on the outside receivers, which usually means man coverage and a lighter box that favors this run Key on defensive tackles slanting hard to one side, which tells you to cut the ball back away from the slant for a bigger gap This play struggles against gap control fronts and disciplined linebackers who stay square and read run first, so avoid calling it into stacked eight man fronts or aggressive interior blitz packages
Check the defensive box count before the snap and only run this into 6 man boxes or lighter for the best odds of a positive gain
Use the split action to manipulate linebacker eyes, then user the fullback or lead blocker into the second level to erase a linebacker flowing hard downhill
Pair this with RPO Glance Post or RPO Glance Slant out of the same set so the defense has to respect the pass option off identical run action, forcing linebackers to hesitate
Run this on early downs like first and ten or second and short to keep defenses honest and set up explosive shot plays later in the sequence
Hot route the tight end into a quick stalk block if you see extra defenders creeping into the box, or motion the flanker to check for man versus zone before the snap