Playbooks

Read Option

Shotgun·Wing Tight·13

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 4 playbooks

Chiefs OffenseOffenseJaguars OffenseOffenseNFL Live Chiefs OffenseOffenseNFL Live Jaguars OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Read Option out of Shotgun Wing Tight is a true zone read run play built around the mesh point decision between the QB and HB. The offensive line blocks down and away from the mesh side, sealing the interior while the QB reads the crashing end or edge defender to decide whether to hand off or pull and attack the alley himself. This is a run-first play with no pass option attached, and it punishes defenses that crash hard on the mesh point without discipline, so the primary read progression is simply the first unblocked edge defender off the tackle box.

Defensive Reads

Pre snap, count the box defenders and check if the defense is in a run heavy front like a 4-3 or 46 look with the strong safety cheating down near the line. Watch the alignment of the edge defender over the tackle since his first step tells you if he is crashing hard for the mesh or staying home to force a give read. Post snap, key whether the play side linebacker is filling the alley quickly or getting caught flowing with the mesh fake, since a disciplined linebacker who stays square kills the QB run option. This play struggles against defenses that stay home on the edge with a true scrape exchange, so if the end sits and waits instead of crashing, take the automatic handoff read. Watch for a user controlled defender spying the QB from depth, because that defender can erase the pull read entirely and force you to live off the interior handoff.

Usage Tips

Key the defensive end or outside linebacker aligned over the tackle before the snap since he is your entire read on this play. Use this against light boxes with six or fewer defenders in the box, especially on early downs and short yardage when defenses expect a called run but have not adjusted their edge discipline. If the defense shows a crashing 4i or 5 technique that consistently squeezes down, pull the ball more often and target the alley with the QB run. Pair this with QB Zone and Inside Zone from the same set so the defense cannot key mesh point tendencies, forcing them to respect both the give and the pull equally. Against aggressive edge defenders who are user controlled and diving inside every snap, this becomes one of the most explosive plays in the set because the alley opens up almost automatically.

Other Plays in Wing Tight