Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Motion Read Option out of Shotgun Split Wing Nasty is a zone read run play built off pre-snap motion to shift the defense's numbers before the snap. The diagram shows a receiver motioning across the formation while the QB reads the mesh point with the running back, working a give or keep decision based on the backside defensive end's crash. The offensive line and both wing tight ends execute zone blocking to the play side, sealing the edge while the QB's keep option attacks the alley if the end squeezes down on the handoff.
Defensive Reads
Watch the defensive end or edge defender assigned to the QB read, if he stays disciplined and stays home on the mound the offense loses the numbers advantage and should give the ball inside. Check linebacker depth before the snap, stacked linebackers who key the mesh point quickly close the cutback lanes and shut down the RB's inside track. If the defense shows a heavy box with 8 or more defenders near the line, this play struggles since there is no extra gap advantage created by the wing tight ends. Look for a user-controlled defender spying the QB, since that eliminates the keep option and forces the offense into a predictable handoff read. Man coverage that follows the pre-snap motion man across the formation signals blitz vulnerability up front, since the defense is often rotating a defender out of the box to match, creating a numbers edge for the run fit.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to identify if the defense is in man or zone, if a defender follows the motion man across the formation it confirms man coverage and opens up your perimeter run lane. Key the backside defensive end during the mesh point, if he sits home crash the give to the back, if he chases the back pull it and attack the edge with the QB. This play hits best on early downs (1st and 10, 2nd and short) when defenses are more likely to sit in base run fits rather than sub in extra DBs. Pair this with Mtn Read Lead Option in your play-calling sequence so the defense has to respect both the standard zone read look and the lead blocker variant, keeping linebackers hesitant on run fits. Sequence this with Motion PA Mesh later in a series once the defense starts crashing hard on the zone read, since the play-action off similar motion will freeze aggressive run defenders and open up the mesh concept behind them.
