Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Read Option out of Shotgun Trey Open HB Str is a zone based run play built around the QB reading the backside end. The offensive line executes a zone blocking scheme flowing to the play side while the QB and HB mesh in the backfield, giving the QB the option to hand off on the zone track or pull and attack the edge himself. With no route concepts drawn beyond the run action, this is a pure run play designed to attack light boxes and beat overpursuing defenses, not a play-action or RPO despite the option element.
Defensive Reads
Watch the backside defensive end pre-snap, if he is crashing hard down the line every snap the offense should pull and keep on the edge Stacked boxes with 7 or more defenders shut this play down quickly, spy the Mike linebacker depth to confirm run blitz intent Man coverage on the perimeter with the corner playing outside leverage tells the QB the edge lane is available if he pulls Zone coverage with safeties sitting deep and linebackers reading run fits first will bite on the zone flow, creating cutback lanes for the handoff User controlled defenders spying the QB on the mesh point are the biggest threat, if you see a defender hanging in the backfield instead of flowing with the line, hand it off immediately
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and only run this into 6 or fewer defenders in the box to avoid a free hitter on the mesh point
Use this on early downs, especially 1st and 2nd and short to medium, to stay ahead of the sticks and keep defenses honest
If the defense shows a hard crash from the defensive end toward the HB, pull the ball and get to the edge before the flowing linebackers arrive
Pair this with RPO Zone Peek and RPO Alert Smoke from the same set so the defense cannot sit on the run fit without opening up a bubble or peek route
Mix in QB Power from this set after a few reps of Read Option since both plays sell similar zone action but attack the backside differently, forcing linebackers to hesitate
