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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
Dbl Mtn Split Zone is an inside zone run out of Shotgun Wing Slot Offset with 12 personnel, showing two TEs stacked tight to the formation for double mountain (Mtn) blocking support at the point of attack. The offensive line executes zone steps playside while one TE works across the formation as the split zone kick out blocker on the backside edge, sealing the crease for the HB. This is a pure zone run play designed to stress defensive gap integrity, with the primary read being the HB reading the double team at the point of attack first, then bouncing outside off the split zone kick block if the backside defender crashes down.
Defensive Reads
Key the backside edge defender first since he is the primary target of the split zone kick block, if he crashes hard the HB should bounce outside. Watch linebacker fill speed at the snap, aggressive downhill linebackers are vulnerable to the natural cutback lane created by zone blocking angles. Identify the box count before the snap, stacked boxes with eight or more defenders shut this run down and should trigger an audible to a pass concept. Look for a Mike linebacker blitzing through the A gap since it can beat the double team combo block before the double mountain double team fully forms. Defenses in odd fronts or with a 3 technique shaded to the play side create the toughest gap conflicts for this zone scheme.
Usage Tips
Run this out of 12 personnel on early downs when the defense shows base fronts to keep them honest against both run and pass. Watch pre-snap for linebacker depth and edge defender alignment since a wide 9 technique or crashing DE tells you the split zone kick block will have a tougher path. Use this against light boxes (six defenders or fewer) since the double mountain double team combined with the split zone block can overwhelm light fronts. Pair this with Dbl Mtn Inside Zone Split and Dbl Mtn Counter Y in the same drive to keep linebackers guessing on run direction out of an identical look. Sequence this after PA Slide or PA Read from the same set so defenders start biting on run fits, opening cutback lanes.
