Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Read Option out of Shotgun Trio is a zone read run play built off an 11 personnel look with three receivers stacked wide to one side. The QB reads the play side end or OLB after the mesh point exchange with the HB, keeping the ball if that defender crashes down the line or handing off if he stays wide to take away the QB keep lane. The offensive line executes an inside zone blocking scheme, sealing gaps for the RB while the QB threatens the edge as a run-pass conflict for the defense.
Defensive Reads
Watch the play side defensive end or OLB pre-snap to see if he is aligned wide enough to take away the QB keep option before the snap even happens. If linebackers are sitting flat footed at normal depth without crashing downhill, this play is likely to hit inside since they are not respecting the mesh point. User controlled defenders who key the mesh point and stay disciplined on the QB will shut this play down, especially if the edge defender stays square instead of crashing. Look for Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells with safeties staying deep, which allows linebackers to fill run gaps aggressively and forces a quicker QB decision at the mesh point. Man coverage looks with the corners pressed on the trio receivers often signal single high support in the box, which can make the edge defender more willing to sit on the QB keep.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, check the box count and identify if the defense has an extra run defender showing outside the tackle box before snapping the ball.
Use the three receiver stack to force the defense to declare man or zone coverage, which tips off whether the edge defender is more likely to sit and read the mesh point.
Hot route one of the outside receivers on a quick out or slant if you see Cover 2 or Cover 3 shells to punish soft zone drops while the run fake holds linebackers.
Save this play for second and short or first and ten situations where defenses are more likely to respect balanced run and pass looks rather than selling out on the pass.
Pair this play with Jet HB Zone and Inside Zone from the same set to keep defenses guessing on gap direction, then mix in RPO Alert Bubble to punish overaggressive box defenders.
