Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 15 playbooks
Breakdown
Z Close Duo is a Duo scheme run play out of Shotgun Wing Slot Offset with 12 personnel, showing a tight bunched line with the TEs and wing attached for double team power at the point of attack. The diagram shows the offensive line covering down with double team blocks designed to wall off the frontside before climbing to the second level, while the HB reads the double teams and presses the hole before cutting off the natural bend of the blocks. This is a power run play, not a man or zone beater in the passing sense, and the primary read progression starts with the frontside double team, then the backside linebacker fit, allowing the HB to cut back if the alley is clogged.
Defensive Reads
Watch the strength of the double team at the snap, that tells you which side the HB is designed to press first. Key the middle linebacker depth pre-snap, if he is sitting shallow expect a quick fill that forces an early cutback read. User the backside linebacker as a spy to take away the cutback lane, this is the primary counter to Duo's designed bend. Stacked box looks with a safety cheating down will clog both double teams and force a negative or minimal gain, bail to a pass concept if you see this pre-snap. Post-snap, watch for edge defenders crashing hard inside, that opens a bounce outside the double team that the HB can exploit if he presses correctly.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a quick glance at the box count to confirm you have a numbers advantage before snapping Z Close Duo.
Identify if the defense is in a 1 high shell with stacked linebackers, since Duo thrives against light boxes and struggles versus 8 man fronts.
Hot route the backside TE into a stalk or chip block if you see an extra crasher off the edge to protect the cutback lane.
Pair Z Close Duo with Inside Zone and PA Slide from the same set so the defense cannot key run fits off formation tendencies alone.
Run this on early downs, first and second and short to medium yardage, when you want to establish clock control and set up play action shots later in the series.
