Playbooks

Same Side Zone

Shotgun·Trey Y-Flex·11

Quick Reference

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Breakdown

Same Side Zone is an outside zone run play out of Shotgun Trey Y-Flex that directs the offensive line to flow and seal in the same direction as the running back's aiming point. The tight end and playside tackle work combo blocks to the second level while the backside blockers cut off pursuit, giving the RB a clear track to read the alley defender at the point of attack. This is a run play, so the primary read progression starts with the playside defensive end or edge defender: if he crashes down, the RB bounces outside off the TE's block, and if he stays wide, the RB presses the cutback lane behind the center and backside guard.

Defensive Reads

Read the playside defensive end and outside linebacker first, since their leverage determines whether the RB bounces the run outside or cuts it back inside. Check the middle linebacker's depth and flow at the snap, fast flow to the playside means the cutback lane behind the center will open up for a big gain. Watch for a strong side blitz or nano blitz off the edge that is designed to beat zone run blocking before the TE can get a hand on the rusher, this play struggles against aggressive edge pressure with no lead blocker to pick it up. Look for a single high safety cheating down into the box pre-snap, this signals run support and favors the defense on this concept, so consider switching to a play-action shot play from the set instead. Against zone heavy fronts with linebackers reading the mesh point, user the playside linebacker manually to close the alley and stop the cutback before it develops into a chunk gain.

Usage Tips

Use pre-snap motion or a quick glance at the box count to confirm you have a numbers advantage before snapping this run, since heavy boxes with eight defenders in the box will clog both the bounce and cutback lanes.

Identify one high safety versus two high safety shells pre-snap, one high alignments usually mean an extra run defender near the line so be ready to take the cutback, while two high shells often open up the edge for a bigger gain.

Hot route the fullback or TE into a lead block or kick out assignment if you see a slanting front, and consider using the flex TE as an extra gap blocker against odd fronts with a nose over center.

Pair this run with Inside Zone and HB Draw from the same formation so linebackers cannot key run direction off personnel or motion, forcing them to respect both the same side stretch and the downhill hit.

Best used on early downs in normal or run heavy personnel counts, and it also sets up PA Draw Choice and Read Option later in the game once defenders start flowing hard to the zone action.

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