Read Option

Key the play side defensive end immediately after the snap since his crash or contain decision dictates whether the CPU or user should hand off or pull the ball. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they are sitting shallow and flowing hard to the mesh point, this play beats base zone fronts but struggles against gap sound man front blitzes that get a defender unblocked in the backfield. Look for safety rotation before the snap, a single high shell with the strong safety cheating down into the box signals a run blitz and favors pulling the ball to the edge. This play is vulnerable to a well timed edge blitz or a defensive end who stays disciplined and squeezes both the handoff lane and the QB keeper lane at once. Man coverage on the vertical routes with no underneath help tends to open natural running lanes since defenders are turned away from the mesh point, while zone shells with linebackers spying the QB shut down the keeper option.