Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Read Option out of Shotgun Split Flanker Close is a true zone read run play, showing the quarterback and running back mesh point with the yellow arrow indicating the give/keep read to the playside. The offensive line executes a zone blocking scheme, flowing playside to create a wall while leaving the backside defensive end unblocked for the quarterback to read. This is a run-first play with no route concept drawn, designed to attack the edge based on the backside end's crash or contain technique, with the primary read being the quarterback's eyes on that unblocked defender to decide between the handoff and the keeper.
Defensive Reads
Watch the backside defensive end's first step after the snap since his crash or stay decision dictates the entire play, and if he sits patiently the quarterback should pull it and attack the edge. Look for the linebacker closest to the mesh point flowing hard downhill, which signals a scrape exchange designed to take away both the give and the keep. Man coverage on the perimeter with no extra flow to the play side is where this hits hardest since there is minimal disguise on the backside contain. A defense showing an overload blitz or extra rusher off the edge pre-snap should scare you off this call since the quarterback has no time to read cleanly. Zone coverage shells with a safety rotating down into the box late can also disrupt the alley if the quarterback pulls the ball, so track safety depth and rotation before committing to the keeper.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and only call this against light boxes with six or fewer defenders in the box. Identify if the defense is running a scrape exchange pre-snap by looking at linebacker depth and alignment, since that defensive check can neutralize both the give and keep options. Use manual control on the quarterback after the snap so you can freelance the keeper if the read defender crashes down hard on the running back. Pair this with HB Power O and Inside Zone Lt earlier in a series so the defense commits to stopping downhill runs, then hit them with Read Option to exploit an aggressive edge defender. Best called on early downs or short yardage third downs where the defense is stacking the box expecting a conventional run.
