Playbooks

Mid Zone

Shotgun·Trips Y-Flex·11

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 2 playbooks

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Breakdown

Mid Zone is a zone run play out of Shotgun Trips Y-Flex that sends the offensive line flowing laterally with a track blocking scheme aimed at the middle of the formation. The center and guards climb to the second level while the backside tackle cuts off pursuit, giving the HB a wide read window to press the mesh point and pick his lane based on defensive flow. Your primary read progression is backside to frontside: identify the first down lineman past the center on the backside, then work your eyes to the playside A gap and B gap for the cutback or bend lane depending on how the linebackers flow.

Defensive Reads

Watch for a stacked box with the Mike linebacker sitting inside the guard, which signals an aggressive downhill fit that favors bouncing this run outside. Bear fronts and heavy blitz packages with both linebackers crashing the line pre-snap will blow up the frontside gaps, so be ready to cut back against overpursuit. Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells that keep only one deep safety in the middle of the field often rotate a linebacker or safety down into the box late, so read the flow after the snap rather than committing to a called hole. Nickel and dime packages with lighter boxes are prime targets for this run since there are fewer bodies to climb to at the second level. If you see a defensive line shifting hard toward the trips side pre-snap, that alignment is begging for a cutback lane on the backside away from the flex tight end.

Usage Tips

Attack light boxes with only six or fewer defenders in the run fit since the trips side pulls a defender out for coverage responsibilities. Use pre-snap motion or check the Mike linebacker alignment to see if he is stacked over the center, which tells you whether to plan a cutback before the snap. Pair this with HB Mid Draw and Inside Zone in the same set so defenses cannot key run fits off formation tendency alone. On early downs like first and ten, this play punishes teams that load the box expecting pass out of Trips Y-Flex personnel. Sell the mesh point patience with the HB by holding the RB stick momentarily so the offensive line can climb before committing to a lane, then use manual player lock to press the crease as soon as backside pursuit flattens.

Other Plays in Trips Y-Flex