Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
TE Lead Read Opt is a shotgun read option run play out of the Wing Slot Wk set with 12 personnel, using both tight ends aligned to the same side to create a lead blocker attacking the edge. The offensive line blocks down at the point of attack while the QB reads the unblocked edge defender, either handing off on the give path (yellow arrow) or pulling it and cutting upfield off the lead TE (red arrow) if the defender crashes down. This is a pure run play with no route concept, and the primary read progression is the QB keying the edge defender first, then getting downhill fast once the decision is made.
Defensive Reads
Watch the alignment of the edge defender pre-snap since this play is designed to attack whoever is left unblocked on the read side. If the defense shows a hard crash call from the DE or OLB, expect the QB to pull it and follow the lead TE block, so user that defender to string the play out. Zone fronts with a linebacker sitting in the alley can blow this play up since it removes the numbers advantage the TE lead block is designed to create. Man coverage on the backside TE can leave the play vulnerable if it is hot routed into a route, so a spy or matched linebacker eliminates that answer. Overloaded run blitzes to the play side can beat the blocking scheme before the read even develops, so aggressive user blitzes off the edge are a strong counter.
Usage Tips
Attack defenses that show light boxes or slanted fronts since the lead TE gives you a hat on the alley defender if the QB keeps it.
Use pre-snap motion or a hard count to force the defense to declare their edge player before the snap so the read is easier post-snap.
Hot route the backside TE into a shallow drag or stick if you want a passing answer built in against overloaded fronts, though this play is designed as a straight run.
Pair this with Read Option and Speed Option from the same set so defenses cannot key on personnel or formation tendencies when you change the ball carrier's path.
Run this on early downs or short yardage situations where defenses are more likely to sell out on the interior run and leave the edge exposed for the QB keep.
