Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Outside Zone from Shotgun Wing HB Wk Close is a zone run play design with 12 personnel on the field. The offensive line flows laterally toward the play side with the tight ends sealing the edge, while the HB reads the diagram cutback lane, pressing the line of scrimmage before making a one cut decision based on the blocks in front of him. This is a run play, not a man or zone beater in the passing sense, and the primary read progression for the HB is playside cutback lane first, then bounce outside if the edge is sealed, then backside cutback if flow overpursues.
Defensive Reads
Watch the defensive line gap alignment pre snap, since a 4i or 3 technique on the playside can clog the natural landmark for the zone stretch. Check linebacker depth, as linebackers sitting at five yards or closer typically fill fast and take away the cutback, while linebackers at seven yards or deeper give the HB more room to press and cut. Identify if the defense shows a run blitz with a linebacker or safety crashing off the edge, since that defender must be accounted for by the TE or HB read on the fly. Man coverage shells with the corners playing tight to the TEs generally leave fewer underneath defenders to rally against outside zone, making it hit harder against man fronts. Zone shells with linebackers flowing hard to contain the stretch and a safety filling downhill from depth are the primary counters that shut this run down, so recognize fast flow and consider cutting back immediately rather than forcing it outside.
Usage Tips
Attack light boxes with six or fewer defenders in the box before the snap, since outside zone loses value against stacked fronts. Use the TE wing alignment to identify if the defense is showing run support to that side, and if the strong safety cheats down, consider audibling to a play-action shot off this same look. Hot route the backside TE to a quick out or seal block depending on whether you need extra edge protection versus a speed rushing end. Pair this play with HB Counter U in your run calling sequence so defenders keying zone flow get gashed by the counter action later in the drive. Best used on early downs like first and ten or second and short to keep the defense honest and set up PA Cross or PA Y Over off the same personnel and formation look.
