Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Outside Zone from Shotgun Y Trips Offset is a zone run play that sends the offensive line flowing laterally to the play side while the HB takes a wide zone track behind them, reading blocks from the backside cutback lane to the frontside edge. The diagram shows the RB stepping laterally before pressing upfield off his blockers' zone steps, with no pass routes drawn since this is a designated run concept. Primary read progression for the ball carrier is playside cutback, bounce outside, then backside cut based on how the defensive front flows and squeezes the zone blocking.
Defensive Reads
Watch for defensive ends and outside linebackers crashing hard down the line, since that opens the backside cutback lane for the ball carrier. Look at safety depth before the snap, a single high safety often means the box is stacked and outside zone will get strung out by pursuit. Key the playside linebacker's first step, if he flows too fast laterally you can cut the run back against the grain for a big gain. This play struggles against gap-exchange stunts and scrape exchange blitzes where the linebacker replaces the crashing end, so be ready to check to a gap run like Power O if you see that look. Overload fronts and heavy blitz packages that send extra defenders to the play side can blow up the zone track, so identify Mike linebacker pressure and be prepared to cut it back immediately.
Usage Tips
Run this out of Y Trips Offset when the defense shows a light box with six or fewer defenders since the trips look often pulls a safety or linebacker out of the run fit. Use pre-snap motion or check the alignment of the Sam linebacker and strong safety to confirm they are not sitting in the run lane before the snap. Hot route the backside TE or slot receiver into a stalk or crack block if you see the defense stacking numbers to the play side. Pair this with Inside Zone and Duo from the same set so defenses cannot key run direction based on formation tendencies. Best called on early downs (first and ten or second and medium) when you want to stay ahead of the sticks and set up play-action shots like PA Zone Shot later in the drive.
