Playbooks

Same Side Zone

Shotgun·Trey Open HB Str·11
Run Play

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 2 playbooks

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Breakdown

Same Side Zone is an outside zone run play out of Shotgun Trey Open HB Str, designed to attack the play side where the trey (three receiver) bunch is aligned. The offensive line executes zone steps and combo blocks moving laterally toward the call side, giving the HB a stretch look with the option to press the hole and cut back if the backside cutback lane opens. The primary read progression starts with the play side edge defender or force player, then works to the first available crease as the line reaches the second level linebackers.

Defensive Reads

Watch the defensive line shade pre-snap, if the line is slanted away from the trey side the cutback lane will be there almost immediately after the zone steps. Key the play side linebacker depth, if he is sitting shallow and reading run he will fill fast so be ready to cut back rather than force it outside. This run beats light boxes and zone shells that rotate a safety away from the trey side to cover the extra receiver, leaving fewer bodies to fit the run. Heavy fronts, run blitzes, and defenses that stack the box with eight defenders shut this down quickly since the zone blocking cannot sustain double teams long enough for the back to find a crease. Watch for a user linebacker spying the HB or crashing down the line pre-snap, that is the sign the defense expects zone and you may want to check to a different run concept or an RPO tag instead.

Usage Tips

Run this when the defense shows a light box, five defenders or fewer in the run fit, especially against nickel or dime personnel that cannot match the trey bunch. Check the play side defensive end and outside linebacker before the snap, if they are crashing hard down every play call an outside zone bounce read since the edge will be sealed easier. Use the right stick to manually guide the HB into the play side crease first, only bounce or cutback if you see immediate penetration or a linebacker overrunning the zone flow. Pair this with RPO Zone Alert Smoke or RPO Zone Peek Bubble from the same set so the defense has to respect the same zone action while you throw off run fits with pre-snap motion or hot routes. Best used on early downs, first and second and short to medium yardage, or as a change of pace after running Inside Zone and Mid Zone to keep linebackers guessing on flow direction.

Other Plays in Trey Open HB Str