Playbooks
Breakdown
Mtn TE Lead Read Opt is a run play out of Shotgun Wing Slot Wk with 12 personnel that presents a read option mesh between the QB and HB. The diagram shows the offensive line blocking down at the point of attack while the TE releases downfield as the lead blocker, clearing a path for whichever runner the QB decides to hand off to based on the unblocked edge defender. The primary read progression is the backside end man on the line of scrimmage: if he crashes down on the HB dive, the QB pulls the ball and follows the TE lead block to the edge, and if he stays home the QB hands off for the interior run.
Defensive Reads
Watch the backside DE or OLB post snap since his crash or contain decision dictates the entire keep or give read for the offense. Scrape exchange linebackers who stay disciplined and mirror the mesh point can blow this play up before the TE lead block develops. Overloading the box with a extra defender to the play side forces the QB to pull and bounce it outside into a numbers disadvantage against the lead block. Aggressive user-controlled edge defenders who bait the QB keep read can turn this into a negative play if the offense misreads the crash. Zone coverage shells with safeties reading run flow can rally quickly to the edge, so man coverage or single high looks are more vulnerable to this concept.
Usage Tips
Check the alignment of the play side defensive end or outside linebacker before the snap since he is your key read all the way through the mesh point.
Use this against odd fronts and 3-4 looks where the read defender is easier to isolate, since bigger fronts with tighter ends can crash faster and take away the dive.
Pair this with RPO Peek Slant and RPO Read Bubble from the same set so the defense has to respect the pass tags off identical action and cannot sell out on the run fit.
Run this on early downs in run heavy sequences to set up Mtn PA Verticals or PA Dagger later, since the play action rollout shell mirrors this backfield action.
If the defense is stacking the box with extra linebackers, motion pre-snap out of Wing Slot Wk to check for man coverage and force a favorable numbers count before snapping.
