Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Escort Duo is a Duo run concept out of Singleback Ace Double Wing with 23 personnel on the field, giving you extra beef in the backfield to seal running lanes. The diagram shows the HB taking a downhill angle toward the play side gap while the offensive line executes double team blocks at the point of attack before climbing to the second level, the classic Duo footwork that mimics inside zone before hitting downhill like power. There is no route concept shown here, this is a pure between the tackles run play, and the primary read progression for the ball carrier is to press the play side double team, read the first down lineman to linebacker flow, and cut off the double teams once the second level defender declares.
Defensive Reads
Watch the linebacker depth pre-snap, stacked linebackers sitting tight to the line signal a run blitz that can beat Duo before the double teams set. Check safety alignment, a single high safety with two down linebackers gives you a favorable box count for this play, two deep safeties can still work if the extra defender is not adding to the run fit. Post-snap, key the first down lineman on the play side double team, if he gets moved cleanly the linebacker behind him becomes your cutback key. User-controlled defenders flowing hard to the play side pre-snap are the biggest counter to Duo, that is your signal to cut this off for Escort Zone Toss or a cutback design later in the series. Look for a nine technique or edge defender crashing down early, that alignment often opens the cutback lane this play is designed to hit once the second level linebacker overcommits.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs like first and ten or second and short to stay ahead of the chains and keep defenses honest against your play-action shots from this same formation.
Check the box count pre-snap, Duo wants six or fewer defenders in the box so you can win with double teams and a lead blocker at the second level.
Use motion out of the double wing look to identify man versus zone coverage before the snap, if a defender follows the motion man across the formation you know you are seeing man principles and can attack accordingly on later play calls.
Pair this with Escort Zone Toss and HB Power O from the same set so linebackers cannot sit on one blocking scheme, alternating downhill Duo with toss and power keeps the front seven guessing on fits.
Hot route the fullback or extra blocker to adjust which side he seals if you see the defense shifting its front, this lets you dictate the read side instead of the defense.
