Playbooks

Same Side Zone

Shotgun·Trips TE Flex·11

Diagram coming soon

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetTrips TE Flex

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 6 playbooks

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Breakdown

Same Side Zone is an outside zone run play out of Shotgun Trips TE Flex that directs the offensive line and the running back to flow toward the strength of the trips formation. The line steps in unison with zone blocking rules, reaching and climbing to the side call while the tailback presses the line of scrimmage looking to bounce or bend based on the first color he sees. This is a run play designed to hit gaps created by flow, and the primary read progression for the ball carrier is press, read the play side double team or reach block, and decide between bounce outside, bend to the cutback lane, or bang it through the front side gap.

Defensive Reads

Check safety depth before the snap since a single high safety often signals man coverage or a light box that favors this zone run. Watch linebacker alignment and depth, if they are stacked tight to the line expect an aggressive run fit that can be countered with a cutback read. Identify if the defense is running a 46 style front or overloaded blitz package to the trips side, which can outnumber the zone blocking scheme and blow it up. Post snap, key the play side defensive end and outside linebacker, if they crash hard inside the bounce lane opens up for an explosive gain. Watch for user controlled defenders flowing hard downhill from depth, since a disciplined user linebacker can erase the cutback lane if the back does not commit quickly.

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.

Attack defenses that load the box with only five or six defenders since Same Side Zone struggles against extra run support and stacked fronts.

Pair this play with Inside Zone and Outside Zone from the same set so defenders cannot key run direction based on formation tendencies alone.

Use HB Draw and RPO Zone Alert Omaha as complementary calls to keep linebackers honest and slow down their run fits.

Run this on early downs like first and ten or second and short to stay ahead of the chains and set up play action shots like PA Fork or PA Crossers later in the series.