Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Mtn Split Zone lines up out of Shotgun Normal Y Off with 11 personnel and shows a jet motion man crossing the backfield before the snap, drawing the defense's eyes horizontally. The offensive line executes an inside zone blocking scheme while the H-back or TE cuts across the formation to kick out the backside end, giving the play its split zone identity. This is a zone run play designed to attack the frontside gaps while the motion and split flow action pull second-level defenders out of position, with the primary read being the frontside double team and playside linebacker flow before the runner presses the hole and reads the split blocker's kick out.
Defensive Reads
Watch the linebacker depth and gap alignment before the snap, if they are crashing hard downhill this play beats them with the split blocker's kick out on the edge. Key the backside defensive end and outside linebacker reaction to the split flow motion, if they squeeze down too fast the cutback lane opens. Identify two-high safety shells versus single-high, since single-high alignments often mean an extra run defender in the box that can clog the frontside gaps. Look for user-controlled linebackers spying the motion man, as this indicates the defense is honoring the split zone action and may leave the frontside gap thinner. Beware of stacked fronts with edge defenders staying home on the kick out block, since disciplined edge play against the split blocker can blow up the entire run design.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion to identify if the defense is running man or zone based on whether a defender follows the motion man across the formation.
Call this against light boxes or when linebackers are showing two-high shells that get out-leveraged by the split flow action.
Hot route the motion man into a swing or seam route if the defense shows an obvious run blitz so you have a check versus overload fronts.
Pair Mtn Split Zone with Mtn HB Swing or RPO Zone Peek in the same set so the defense has to respect both the zone run and the quick perimeter throw off similar formation looks.
Best used on early downs or short yardage where defenses are more likely to sit in base fronts with fewer defenders rotated to the play side.
