Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Mtn Split Lead Zone is a shotgun lead zone run out of 21 personnel with a motion tag that shifts the backfield look before the snap. The diagram shows the fullback leading through the hole with a slight cutback angle while the offensive line executes a zone blocking scheme, sliding as a unit to create a defined running lane behind the lead blocker. This is a run play designed to attack the interior gaps and let the ball carrier press the hole and read the fullback's block before deciding to cut backside or bounce outside.
Defensive Reads
Key the fullback's block target immediately after the snap since he leads directly into the intended gap. Watch linebacker depth and gap alignment before the snap, a stacked box or crashing edge defender signals the defense is selling out to stop this inside run. User the strong side linebacker or a lurking defender to shoot the gap and disrupt the fullback's lead block before he can seal the hole. Cover 1 or Cover 3 with an aggressive run fit linebacker tends to shut this down quickly since it removes the cutback lane. Watch for defensive line slants toward the play side, which can beat the zone blocking scheme before the back reaches the line of scrimmage.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to identify if the defense is running man or zone coverage based on how the second level defenders react to the shifting back. Attack this play against base fronts and light boxes where the fullback lead block can seal a linebacker at the point of attack. Run this on early downs, first and second and short, to stay on schedule and set up play action shots later in the drive. Pair this with Mtn PA HB Seam or Mtn H Sneak from the same set so the defense has to respect both the run action and the play fake off similar formation and motion looks. If the defense stacks the box or shows blitz pre-snap, consider hot routing to Outside Zone or checking to a quick pass concept instead.
