Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
QB Zone out of the Shotgun Wing 12 personnel set is a designed QB run with an inside zone blocking scheme up front. The offensive line steps in unison to the play side while the QB reads the zone track behind the line, with the HB releasing on a shallow angle to serve as a lead blocker or secondary ball carrier option if the QB hands off. This is a run play, not a pass concept, and the primary read is the QB determining whether to keep the ball based on the flow of the defensive line and second level defenders.
Defensive Reads
Watch for defensive ends staying home on the edge instead of crashing inside since disciplined ends take away the QB keeper lane Identify if the defense is running a spy or contain scheme with a linebacker shadowing the QB, this shuts down the keeper option immediately Check safety depth pre-snap since a safety cheating into the box signals run recognition and a quicker flow to the play side Look for defensive tackles two gapping and holding their ground, this clogs the interior zone lanes and forces a QB cutback Man coverage on the perimeter with no extra run support tends to get gashed since defenders are locked onto receivers instead of filling gaps
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs against light boxes with six or fewer defenders in the box to maximize the numbers advantage for the QB run
Check pre-snap for a defense stacked in the middle since that signals a bubble on the edge that the zone blocking can exploit
Pair this with Inside Zone and Read Option from the same set so the defense cannot key run fits based on formation alone
Attack aggressive user linebackers who crash downhill on the mesh point since the zone scheme creates cutback lanes behind their pursuit
Save this for third and short or goal line situations where a mobile QB can pick up positive yardage on designed keepers
