Playbooks

Inside Zone

Shotgun·Wing Stack Wk·12
Run Play

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 2 playbooks

Vikings OffenseOffenseNFL Live Vikings OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Inside Zone out of Shotgun Wing Stack Wk is a base 12 personnel zone run play that reads the frontside double team and the play side linebacker flow before the ball carrier presses the mesh point. The offensive line steps in unison on zone track, with both tight ends aligned in the wing stack to give extra double team push and a lead blocker option on the frontside edge. The primary read progression starts with the frontside double team at the point of attack, then bends to backside cutback if the play side linebacker overflows or the defensive tackle gets movement, making this a run scheme rather than a man or zone pass beater.

Defensive Reads

Identify the play side linebacker depth before the snap, if he is stacked tight to the line expect quick fills that require an immediate cutback read. Watch for a shaded defensive tackle in the play side gap, a 3 technique or heavier front can clog the frontside double team and force the backside cut every time. Against a single high safety shell, defenses often sell out on run support with the strong safety cheating into the box, so key his depth and leverage to anticipate an early fill. Nano blitz packages that bring extra defenders off the edge can beat this play before the mesh point develops, check for stacked EDGE rushers or a linebacker walked up over the tight end wing. Two high safety shells with soft linebacker depth tend to give up the most yardage on this concept since there is less immediate run support, look for retreating linebackers post-snap as your cutback trigger.

Usage Tips

Run this on early downs in first and second and short to medium distance to keep defenses honest against your RPO Zone Peek and RPO Alert Bubble calls out of the same Wing Stack Wk set.

Check the box count before the snap, if the defense shows six or more in the box with no extra help over the top, consider checking to a perimeter throw instead of forcing the zone run into a loaded front.

Use the wing stack alignment to your advantage by motioning one tight end pre-snap to diagnose man versus zone coverage, if the defender follows across the formation you are looking at man principles on the backend.

Pair this play with Same Side Zone and Mtn Outside Zone in your call sheet to keep linebacker flow guessing between inside and outside zone tracks from a similar look.

Against aggressive user blitzers, trust your zone track and let the running back press the hole rather than bailing early, most user missed tackles come from ball carriers dancing behind the line instead of hitting the crease decisively.

Other Plays in Wing Stack Wk