Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Read Option out of Shotgun Slot Right (11 personnel) is a zone read run play built off inside zone blocking up front. The offensive line steps play side while the QB reads the backside end or OLB unblocked at the edge, either handing off on the zone track or pulling it to run the perimeter himself. This is a pure run play with no play-action or route combos attached, so the diagram shows the RB and QB mesh point with no receivers running downfield concepts.
Defensive Reads
Watch the defensive end or OLB aligned over the last man on the line of scrimmage, this is the exact player being read by the QB. Stacked fronts and 4-3 Over looks with a disciplined edge defender who stays home on the QB shut this play down since the read has no easy answer. User-controlled defenders spying the QB or crashing down hard on the mesh point are the biggest threat, look for a defender staying wide and patient instead of biting on the fake. Blitzes off the edge from a Sam or Will linebacker can beat this play design if the read defender is replaced with an unblocked blitzer before the snap. Base 4-3 and 3-4 fronts with linebackers flowing too aggressively to the play side open up the cutback lane and the keeper for explosive gains.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and medium) when the defense shows a light box with six or fewer defenders inside the tackles.
Pre-snap, count the box and identify if a defender is designated as the read key on the edge, this is usually the DE or OLB lined up outside the tackle.
Pair this with RPO Alert Glance or RPO Alert Bubble in your play-calling sequence so defenses cannot sit on the run fit without opening up perimeter throws.
If the defense crashes hard on inside zone flow, pull the ball on the read and get to the edge quickly before the backside contain defender squeezes it down.
Mix in Speed Option and QB Slot Option from this same set to keep defenders honest on the perimeter and prevent linebackers from flowing too fast to the mesh point.
