Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Read Option out of Shotgun Wing Pair is a zone read run play with the QB and HB mesh point lined up in the backfield and a single wing TE attached to the formation. The diagram shows the HB running a lead path into the line while the QB reads the play side defensive end to either hand off or pull and keep, with the offensive line executing a zone blocking scheme to seal running lanes. This is a run play designed to attack light boxes and beats defenses that crash hard on the handoff read without honoring the QB keep.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check for a stacked box or extra defender walked down near the line, this signals the defense is selling out to stop the run and you should consider a hot route or audible. Key the play side defensive end immediately after the snap, if he stays home and does not crash on the HB the QB should pull and keep for a big gain. Watch linebacker depth before the snap, linebackers sitting shallow near the line of scrimmage are cheating the run fit and can be exploited with the QB keep to the backside. Look for man alignment on the wing TE, if the defender bites on run action too aggressively there is a leak lane for a QB scramble read. Against a hard crash scheme or heavy blitz package sending extra defenders through the same gap, this play gets shut down quickly, be ready to check to a different run concept in the set like Duo or Power O.
Usage Tips
Check the box count pre-snap and only run this into 6 or fewer defenders in the box for a numbers advantage.
Watch the play side defensive end pre-snap, if he is crashing down hard on run fits every play you can hot route the HB to bounce outside or plan to pull it more often.
Use this on early downs like first and second and ten to stay ahead of the chains and keep the defense honest against your pass-heavy calls.
Pair this with RPO Duo Alert Post and Mtn Inside Zone from the same set so the defense cannot key on run fits without opening up the post shot off similar backfield action.
Manually control the QB after the snap so you can freelance the keep read if the defense flows hard to the HB side, this adds a layer defenders on user control cannot simulate.
