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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
HB Stretch Alert X Lookie is an outside zone run play out of Singleback Ace with 12 personnel that carries an alert audible to shift the play call based on the defensive look. The diagram shows the X receiver running a corner route to the boundary, the TE releasing on a lookie route that breaks back inside toward the quarterback, and the backside receiver running a vertical stem to hold the deep defender. The blocking scheme flows the offensive line in an outside zone stretch action toward the play side, with the primary read progression starting with the alert check on the run front, then working to the TE lookie route as a checkdown option if the defense shows blitz or heavy run support.
Defensive Reads
Key the defensive line and linebacker flow immediately after the snap, if they crash hard toward the play side stretch action, look for cutback lanes since the alert check may have kept the run on. Watch for user controlled linebackers spying the backfield or flowing hard to the alert side, this often signals a run blitz that the alert audible should have already adjusted away from. If the defense shows man coverage with corners playing tight outside, expect the X corner route and TE lookie to create natural picks and separation against man beaters. Zone shells with linebackers sitting in short hook zones can undercut the TE lookie route, so identify robber or Tampa 2 looks pre-snap and be ready to check into a different concept. Overloaded run fronts with safeties creeping into the box will shut down the outside zone stretch, so use the alert to bail into the pass concept whenever you see eight or nine defenders near the line of scrimmage.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap alert to check into a pass concept if you see run blitz stacked boxes or overloaded fronts, since the outside zone stretch struggles against extra defenders inside.
Watch safety depth before the snap, if both safeties sit deep in a two high shell you have a numbers advantage to run outside zone, if the box shows eight defenders check to the TE lookie or corner route instead.
Hot route the backside receiver into a quick out or slant against man coverage to give yourself a fast throw option if you check into pass and the defense brings pressure off the edge.
Run this on early downs like first or second and short to keep the defense honest, then pair it with HB Stretch or HB Stretch Alert X Smoke later in a drive so linebackers hesitate on run fits and open lanes for the stretch action.
Combine this call with PA Stretch or Zone Fake Jet in the same drive to sell the same zone blocking action while setting up explosive shots off the same run fit keys.
