Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Read Option out of Shotgun Doubles Z Close is a pure zone run play built off inside zone blocking with a true QB read on the backside edge defender. The offensive line blocks zone to the play side while the QB reads the crash or contain of the unblocked defender to decide between handing off to the HB or pulling it himself on the keeper. There are no route concepts on this diagram since it is strictly a run action, so this is a numbers and gap scheme run rather than a man or zone pass beater.
Defensive Reads
Watch the defensive end or outside linebacker aligned to the backside, since he is the direct read key for the QB and his crash or hold decision dictates give or keep. This play struggles against disciplined scrape exchange defense where the end sits and a linebacker flows outside to account for the QB, so look for teams that train that fundamental. Attack defenses that overcommit to the play side flow with linebackers, since that opens the backside cutback or keeper lane. Aggressive edge blitzes or contain rushers that crash hard inside can be beaten by the QB pulling the ball for an easy keeper to the perimeter. Heavy or stacked boxes with safeties creeping down pre-snap signal a run blitz look, which should push you toward the RPO pass options in this set instead of forcing this play into a loaded front.
Usage Tips
Use Read Option on early downs, especially first and second and short to medium, when you want to stay balanced and keep the defense honest against pass heavy tendencies.
Pre-snap, check the box count and force defender alignment. If the defense is showing light boxes with only six in the box, this play has a clean numbers advantage for the run.
Identify the read defender before the snap, usually the backside end or outside linebacker, and manually key his first step after the snap to decide give or keep in real time.
Pair this with RPO Glance Post or RPO Zone Peek Glance from the same set so the defense has to respect both the run action and the quick pass options off similar formation looks.
Mix in HB Draw and Inside Zone from this set to keep linebackers flowing downhill, which sets up Read Option keeper lanes on the backside later in the drive.
