Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Y Lead Read Opt is a zone read option run out of Shotgun Wing Stack with 12 personnel. The offensive line blocks down to the play side while the QB reads the crashing end or edge defender on the mesh point, either handing off to the RB on the give or pulling it to keep and attack the alley himself. Two isolated receivers stacked to the backside run vertical routes to hold the corner and safety, keeping the numbers even in the box for the option read.
Defensive Reads
Identify the play side end alignment before the snap, a wide 9 technique alignment signals the defense wants to force the give every time. Post-snap, key the end or edge defender assigned to the QB, if he sits and stays home on the mock keep, take the handoff quickly before the backside pursuit arrives. Watch for a slanting linebacker crashing the mesh point, this nano blitz look is designed to blow up the read before the QB can react, so get the ball out on a quick give. Check safety depth pre-snap, a safety creeping into the box turns this into a numbers disadvantage and you should lean toward the keep read to attack the vacated alley. Man coverage on the backside vertical stack invites a big play if the corner presses too hard, so user the corner and stay on top of the vertical route to eliminate the cheap shot.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and only call this against six or fewer defenders in the box to keep the numbers advantage for the option read.
Watch the play side defensive end pre-snap, if he is crashing hard down the line every snap you can key the pull read faster after the snap.
Use the stacked vertical routes on the backside as a hot route outlet if the defense shows an obvious run blitz, sliding one into a quick out to punish overaggressive corners.
Pair this with Inside Zone and Power O from the same Wing Stack set so the read option look blends into your gap run tendencies and keeps linebackers honest on run fits.
Best used on early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and short) when defenses are more likely to sit in base fronts instead of nickel or dime sub packages.
If the safety cheats down pre-snap to add a defender in the box, pull the ball on the keep read since the vertical stack should now be singled up for a big play.
