Playbooks
24 Zone Open
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Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
24 Zone Open is a zone run play out of Singleback Ace with 12 personnel that hands the ball to the HB running an outside zone track to the strong side. The offensive line flows in unison with zone steps, using combo blocks at the point of attack while the fullback or extra tight end kicks out the edge defender to create a running lane. The primary read progression starts with the playside double team, then bounces to the alley if the edge is sealed, giving the ball carrier a one cut and go zone run rather than a designed cutback scheme.
Defensive Reads
Identify the defensive front pre-snap, this play struggles against odd fronts with a true nose shade over center that clogs the zone read lane. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they are crashing downhill immediately it signals a run blitz and you should bounce the run outside quickly. Key the playside defensive end, if he is squeezing hard down the line the cutback lane behind the double team opens up. Look for user controlled defenders flowing too fast to the play call side, this often leaves a cutback lane exposed for a quick vision cut. Against a stacked box or heavy blitz look, check into a quick pass or bail into HB Slip Screen from the same set to punish overaggressive defenses.
Usage Tips
Run this out of 12 personnel when the defense shows a light box with only six or fewer defenders inside the tackles.
Use pre-snap motion or a quick check to see if the defense shifts, since heavy shifting often signals man coverage and an aggressive run blitz look.
Pair 24 Zone Open with HB Counter Str and HB Stretch to keep linebackers guessing between zone flow and counter action off the same personnel grouping.
Hot route the backside tight end into a shallow drag if you see a defense stacking the box, giving you a built in checkdown against overloaded fronts.
Save this play for early down situations, first and second and short to medium, where defenses are less likely to sell out with extra DBs or dime packages.
