Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Fk Leak Outside Zone is a play-action fake built off the outside zone run scheme out of Shotgun 11 personnel. The offensive line executes outside zone blocking steps to the play side to sell the run fake, while the TE releases on a leak route, sneaking to the flat and then working upfield along the sideline as the lone route in the concept. This is a play-action zone beater designed to punish linebackers and safeties who bite on the run fake, with the leaking TE as the primary and essentially only read once the fake is sold.
Defensive Reads
Watch for linebacker depth at the snap since this play is designed to exploit aggressive run fits and fast flow to the play side. If the defense stays disciplined and keeps a linebacker or nickel defender spying the TE release, the leak route gets picked off before it develops. Check safety alignment pre-snap, a single high safety who crashes down on run action opens up the sideline for the leaking TE. Man coverage on the TE with an athletic linebacker or safety in trail technique can shut this down quickly since there is no route combination to create natural picks or leverage. User-controlled defenders who key the backfield fake and stay patient will erase the explosive play potential, forcing the ball to be checked down early or thrown away.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs, especially first or second and short to medium, when the defense has shown heavy run support against your outside zone looks. Sell the fake by holding the RPO trigger just long enough that linebackers step up before releasing the TE leak. If the defense shows a two high shell with light box counts, this play hits big because there is no underneath defender rotating fast enough to the flat. Pair this in your play-calling sequence with actual Inside Zone and HB Draw to keep defenders honest, then dial up Fk Leak Outside Zone once you have established the zone run enough that linebackers are flowing hard to the play side. Avoid calling this on third and long since the single route concept lacks the route variety to threaten deep zones or beat a heavy pass rush look.
