Playbooks

Same Side Zone

Shotgun·Wing Stack Wk·12
Run Play

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 2 playbooks

Vikings OffenseOffenseNFL Live Vikings OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Same Side Zone out of the Shotgun Wing Stack Wk set with 12 personnel is a run play that sends both the RB and the frontside blocking surface to the same side, hence the name, creating a lopsided zone run with two tight ends helping build a wall on the play side. The offensive line executes a zone blocking scheme with covered linemen taking on down blocks and uncovered linemen climbing to the second level, while the fullback-esque extra TE seals the edge or kicks out a force defender. The primary read for the ball carrier is the frontside double team at the point of attack, pressing the hole to set up the backside cutback lane if the play side flows too fast.

Defensive Reads

Identify the play side linebacker depth before the snap since a linebacker sitting too far off the line gives the runner extra time to press the hole and set up the cutback. Watch for a stacked box with the safety cheating down into the alley on the same side as the zone flow, which signals the defense is selling out to stop this concept and you should audible to a backside cutback run or a play-action pass instead. If the defensive line is slanting hard toward the play side call, expect the cutback lane to be wide open behind the slant, so coach the runner mentality to work backside. User players controlling the play side linebacker or a lurking safety can blow this play up if they crash downhill too aggressively, so mix in the Same Side Zone with a play-action shot off the same look to punish overly aggressive user defenders. Against odd fronts with a nose shaded to the play side call, this run struggles to generate movement, so lean on Inside Zone or Mtn Inside Zone instead when facing that specific front.

Usage Tips

Check the box count before the snap and only run Same Side Zone into light fronts with six or fewer defenders in the box since the extra TE surface only helps if you have a numbers advantage. Use the two TE alignment to disguise this as Mtn Outside Zone or Mtn Inside Zone from the same set, keeping defenders guessing between inside and outside zone tracks. Motion is not required but if your version of the set allows a TE shift, use it presnap to bait linebackers into flowing the wrong direction before the snap. This play shines on early downs like first and ten or second and short when defenses are more likely to sit in base fronts instead of loading up with extra DBs. Pair it with RPO Zone Alert Bubble or RPO Zone Peek in the same set so the defense has to respect both the run action and the bubble screen off the same zone blocking look, forcing linebackers to hesitate on their run fits.

Other Plays in Wing Stack Wk