Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Outside Zone Lt is a zone run play out of the Shotgun Split Y Off Close formation using 11 personnel. The offensive line flows laterally to the left with the entire zone blocking scheme, while the HB takes a lateral path behind the line to find a crease based on the leverage of the defensive front. This is a run play that beats gap-heavy fronts and over-aggressive linebacker fills, with the primary read progression starting at the playside edge (bounce), then the playside B-gap (bang), and finally the backside cutback lane (bend) if the defense flows too hard to the play call side.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth and shade pre-snap, if linebackers cheat toward the play call side this play is vulnerable to quick fills unless the cutback lane is manually pressed. This run struggles against gap-exchange fronts and stunts that keep contain defenders home rather than crashing down the line. Read the safety alignment before the snap, a single high safety often means light box counts that favor the zone scheme, while two deep safeties can signal extra run support underneath. Post-snap, key the playside linebacker's first step, if he flows hard with the zone action the cutback lane behind him becomes the primary path. This play is shut down by disciplined edge defenders who set a hard edge and squeeze the bounce lane, forcing the HB to bang it inside into a crowded box.
Usage Tips
Check the defensive front pre-snap and look for wide 9-techniques or slanted lines that struggle to flow with zone blocking schemes.
Use the left analog stick to manually press the HB into the correct zone lane rather than relying purely on the CPU logic, especially against odd fronts.
This play hits best on early downs like 1st and 10 or 2nd and medium when defenses expect balanced play calling.
Pair Outside Zone Lt with Spinner HB Zone and Mtn Inside Zone from the same set to keep linebackers guessing on zone run direction without changing formation.
Use Portland HB Angle or Mtn PA HB Swing off this same look to punish defenses that key hard on run flow and crash down on zone action.
