Playbooks

Same Side Zone

Shotgun·Wing Tight·13

Quick Reference

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Breakdown

Same Side Zone out of Shotgun Wing Tight is a run play that sends the offensive line and the wing tight end flowing in the same direction to seal the edge, creating a designed lane for the running back to press and cut off blocks. The wing alignment gives extra gap support to the run side, making this a strong tool against light boxes and over aggressive fronts that overplay the backside. The primary read progression for the running back is to press the play side hole, read the double team at the point of attack, and decide between bouncing outside if the edge is sealed or cutting inside if the linebacker flows too hard with the zone action.

Defensive Reads

Look at the safety alignment before the snap, since a single high safety often means the linebackers are reading run fits aggressively and can be sealed easier with the same side flow Watch the play side defensive end and outside linebacker depth, if they are crashing hard down the line pre-snap this play can bounce outside once the double team clears Identify blitz packages by checking for a walked up linebacker or slot defender near the line of scrimmage, since a same side blitz can beat this run before the zone blocks set Man coverage on the backside receiver with no safety help over the top signals the defense is selling out to stop the run, which opens up a cutback lane if the linebackers overpursue Watch for a user controlled linebacker sitting in the same side gap post snap, since a smart defender will spy the zone action and fill the exact lane this play is designed to hit

Usage Tips

Check the box count before the snap and only run this into fronts with six or fewer defenders in the box since the wing tight end only adds one extra gap blocker to that side

Use this play on early downs like first and second and ten to keep the offense on schedule and set up play action later in the drive

Hot route the backside receiver on a quick slant or drag if you see man coverage to create a simple checkdown outlet if the run gets blown up

Pair this with Inside Zone and Escort Inside Zone Split in the same set so the defense cannot key on which gap you are attacking based on formation alone

Motion the wing tight end pre-snap if available to check for man coverage rotation, since a defender following the motion confirms man and tells you the edge will be lighter

Other Plays in Wing Tight