Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Read Option out of Shotgun Wing (12 personnel) is a zone run play built on the classic QB and RB mesh point read. The diagram shows the QB and HB crossing in the backfield with the yellow arrow indicating the give or keep read as the offensive line executes a zone blocking scheme up front. This is a run play, not a play-action or dropback concept, and the primary read is the QB reading the play side end or first true defender off the edge to decide whether to hand off to the HB or pull it and attack the alley himself.
Defensive Reads
Watch the play side defensive end alignment pre-snap since a wide 9 technique alignment signals the defense is prepared for the keep read. Check linebacker depth before the snap, if the linebackers are sitting shallow and square they are likely reading run and can fill the alley fast against the QB keep. This play struggles against disciplined scrape exchange defenses where the end stays home on the QB and the linebacker flows to the HB, so look for defenses that teach that assignment. Man beater potential is limited since this is a run concept, but watch for user defenders spying the QB, if a user linebacker sits in the mesh area the give to the HB is usually the better outcome. Overload fronts or a five man box stacked toward the play side signal that the offense will need a numbers advantage elsewhere or should audible away from this run.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a quick look at the box count to confirm you have a numbers advantage before snapping this play.
Identify the play side defensive end pre-snap since he is the primary read defender for the QB keep or give decision.
Pair this with QB Zone or Speed Option from the same set to keep defenses guessing on whether the QB is a run threat every snap.
Run this on early downs like first and ten or second and short when defenses are more likely to sit in base fronts instead of stacking the box.
If the defense shows a hard crash off the edge, pull the ball and get to the alley quickly since the underneath flow of the offensive line rarely resets in time to help the QB late.
