Playbooks

Mid Zone

Shotgun·Trey Open·11

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 12 playbooks

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Breakdown

Mid Zone out of Shotgun Trey Open is an inside zone running play that sends the HB through the B-gap or C-gap depending on the flow of the offensive line double teams and the linebacker fits. The blocking scheme relies on zone steps and combo blocks up front, with the play side guard and center working to the second level while the backside tackle cuts off pursuit. This is a run play, not a play-action or RPO, so the primary read is the playside double team into the first linebacker showing in the alley, letting the HB press the hole and cut based on how the defensive line and second level flow.

Defensive Reads

Identify the Mike linebacker depth and alignment pre-snap since a Mike sitting at five yards or deeper signals a light box and a green light for the cutback. Watch for a defensive tackle shaded hard into the play side A-gap, which tells you to expect the double team to get pushed and the HB should look to bounce outside. Post snap, key the play side linebacker's first step: if he flows hard downhill without reading the mesh point, this play hits quick between the tackles, but if he sits and reads he can fill the cutback lane user controlled. Beware of run blitzes and nano blitz packages that send extra defenders through the A or B gap before the line can set combo blocks, since this can blow up the play before the back reaches the line of scrimmage. Bear fronts and heavy odd stacks with three down linemen shading the center are the toughest shells to run Mid Zone into, so shift to a passing concept like Y Cross or Mesh Dig if you see that alignment before the snap.

Usage Tips

Run this out of Trey Open when the defense shows a light box with six or fewer defenders to avoid stacked fronts that clog both gaps. Use pre-snap motion or a hard count to bait linebackers into showing blitz or shifting their run fits before the snap. If the defense shows heavy overhang or an extra defender crashing the trey side, consider audibling to HB Cross Screen or HB Slip Screen out of the same formation to punish aggressive edge defenders. Pair Mid Zone with RPO Alert Draw Stick or RPO Q Stick Draw earlier in a series so the defense has to respect both the run action and the quick game, softening their run fits. Stick to early down calls, first and second and short to medium yardage, where defenses are less likely to load up with dime or big nickel packages that erase the cutback lane.

Other Plays in Trey Open