Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Inside Zone Split is a base zone run out of Shotgun Split Slot Open with 20 personnel on the field. The diagram shows the offensive line covering down at the point of attack with the running back taking a lateral zone path before pressing the crease, while the receivers on the outside run off their defenders with vertical releases to clear the alley. This is a run play designed to attack the interior gaps, and the primary read progression starts with the frontside double team and bounces backside if the playside gap is clogged, letting the runner press and cut off the flow of the linebackers.
Defensive Reads
Watch the defensive tackle alignment pre-snap, a shaded nose to the play side makes the frontside double team harder to execute cleanly. Key the play side linebacker depth, if he is stacked tight to the line expect an early fill that forces a cutback read. Look for a safety creeping into the box pre-snap, that indicates an eight man front designed to stop inside zone at the point of attack. Post-snap, track the backside linebacker for a fast pursuit angle since he is the primary threat to run this down from behind. This concept struggles against heavy blitz packages that stack the interior gaps, so avoid calling it into obvious run down fronts with extra defenders in the box.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and only run this into light boxes with six or fewer defenders in the tackle area.
Use the split backfield alignment to identify if the defense is showing run blitz or a two high shell that softens the interior.
Motion the slot receiver pre-snap to force a defender to declare and confirm man versus zone coverage on the perimeter.
Pair this play with RPO Peek Slant or RPO Zone Peek from the same set so the quarterback can keep the ball if the second level linebacker crashes downhill.
Best called on early downs or short yardage to stay ahead of the sticks and keep the defense honest against your play-action shots like PA F Slide.
