Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn Split Zone is an inside zone run out of Shotgun Y Off Trio Wk with a pre-snap motion piece from the trips side. The offensive line zone blocks to the play side while the H-back/TE motions across the formation to kick out or wash down the backside end, giving the HB a split zone read with a cutback lane. This is a run play designed to attack light boxes and gap integrity, with the primary read being the backside defensive end reaction off the split zone kick block before working through the frontside A and B gap creases.
Defensive Reads
Watch the backside defensive end pre-snap, if he sits wide and boxed he is reading the split zone kick and will spill the run, forcing the back to bounce it outside. Key the play side linebacker depth, if he is stacked tight to the line at four yards or less he can fill the B gap quickly and shut down the frontside crease. Identify single high versus two high shells before the snap, single high safeties tend to be more aggressive filling the alley which opens the cutback lane behind the split zone block. Post-snap, track the user linebacker for a lurk or scrape exchange technique, since a disciplined scrape can string the play out and eliminate the cutback. This run struggles against heavy blitz packages that send extra defenders through the frontside A gap before the zone blockers can climb, so avoid calling it against known all-out blitz tendencies on early downs.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and only trigger the motion into a light box, six defenders or fewer, to guarantee a numbers advantage at the point of attack.
Use the pre-snap motion to identify man versus zone: if a defender runs with the motion man it is man coverage and the backside will be softer for the cutback.
Hot route the frontside trips receivers into quick screens or hitches if you see a heavy blitz look, since this keeps defenders honest and discourages crashing linebackers.
Pair this play with Inside Zone and Mtn Outside Zone from the same set so the defense cannot key on the split zone action, then hit them with HB Slip Screen or PA WR In once they start flowing hard to stop the run.
Best used on early downs, first and 10 or second and medium, when defenses are more likely to sit in base fronts rather than sub-package nickel or dime looks.
