Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
QB Wrap is a designed quarterback run out of Shotgun Spread Dbl Flex with 11 personnel, and the diagram shows the offensive line stepping laterally to seal a gap while the QB takes the snap and immediately wraps downhill through the interior. There are no receivers running routes in the diagram, confirming this is a pure designed run play with no play-action or RPO element attached. The primary read is simply following the line's initial combo blocks and pressing the designated gap, reading the first wave of second-level defenders (linebackers) to decide whether to cut back or stick to the called hole.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, count the box: if there are six or fewer defenders in the box, the numbers favor the QB Wrap gap scheme. Watch linebacker depth at the snap since linebackers stacked tight to the line will fill fast and force an immediate cutback read. Man coverage with off-ball linebackers spying the quarterback is the biggest counter to this play, so avoid calling it into known QB-contain or spy-heavy defenses. Blitzes that send edge defenders upfield can actually help this play since the wrap action lets the QB cut underneath the vacated edge. Zone coverages that keep both safeties deep and linebackers reading run flow will struggle most, since it removes an extra defender from the box while linebackers hesitate on run-pass conflict.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs against light boxes when the defense shows Cover 2 or Cover 3 shells that pull a safety out of run support. Use pre-snap motion from Spread Dbl Flex to identify man versus zone: if defenders follow the motion man, expect single-high or man coverage with an extra run defender creeping down. Pair QB Wrap with Read Option and Inside Zone from the same set so defenses cannot key on run direction from personnel or formation alone. Save it for third and short or goal line situations where the extra gap created by the QB run threat forces linebackers to respect both dive and keep options. Mix in Mtn HB Swing or HB Slip Screen afterward from the same look to punish linebackers who start crashing hard on the QB wrap fake.
