Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 13 playbooks
Breakdown
Inside Zone out of Gun Spread 10 personnel lines up with four wide receivers split two by two and the HB offset in the backfield next to the QB. The offensive line executes a zone blocking scheme, working double teams at the point of attack and climbing to the second level to seal off linebackers, with the HB reading the play side hole and pressing the line before cutting based on the flow of the defenders. This is a base run play designed to attack light boxes and gap fits, and the primary read progression for the ball carrier is backside cutback to playside bounce, picking the crease created by the zone flow rather than a predetermined hole.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify the linebacker depth and alignment since walked up backers signal an eight man front that can blow up the interior gaps. Watch for defensive tackles slanting hard to one gap, which is a sign of a gap scheme call that can be countered by cutting back away from the slant. Post-snap, key the play side linebacker's first step, if he flows hard with the zone action there is likely a cutback lane developing behind him. User controlled defenders sitting in the hole or spying the QB area indicate a defender is keying the run pre-snap, so consider checking to a play action or RPO alert instead. Against man coverage shells with only two deep safeties, the box is usually lighter and more vulnerable, but versus true zone blitz packages this run can get gapped up quickly if the interior climbs are late.
Usage Tips
Check the defensive front pre-snap and confirm you have a light box, six or fewer defenders in the run fit, before snapping it.
Use this out of Gun Spread to bait aggressive linebackers who key run fast, then punish them later with RPO Zone Peek or RPO Read Slot Slide out of the same personnel.
If the defense shows a stacked front or heavy blitz look, motion or check to a quick game throw like Quick Slants or Bubble Slants instead of forcing the run into a bad box count.
Manually control the HB after the snap so you can press the line and make a true one cut decision instead of letting the CPU logic run a predetermined path.
Pair Inside Zone with HB Draw and PA Read from the same set to keep linebacker run fits honest and set up explosive cutback lanes on money downs like second and short.
