Playbooks

Mtn Wide Zone

Singleback·Ace·12
Likely unavailable in the playbook builder
This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Quick Reference

FormationSingleback
SetAce

In 1 playbook

Franchise Offense MotioninoceanOffense

Breakdown

Mtn Wide Zone is a wide zone run play out of Singleback Ace 12 personnel, giving you two tight ends to help seal the edge and create a stretch look for the offensive line. The blocking scheme flows laterally with the line stepping in unison toward the play side, letting the HB press the line of scrimmage and read the first defender outside the tackle box before deciding to bounce, bend, or bang the run inside. This is a pure run play with no play-action tag, and the primary read progression starts at the play side edge defender, then works to the play side linebacker fit before checking the backside cutback lane if the front flows too hard.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is in a base 4-3 or 3-4 front with two off ball linebackers, since heavier fronts with an extra defensive lineman can clog the zone stretch lanes. Watch safety alignment, if both safeties are deep in a two high shell there is likely lighter box support and more room to work the cutback. Post-snap, key the play side defensive end and outside linebacker, if they crash hard down the line the cutback lane behind the zone flow opens up. Be wary of user controlled linebackers flowing downhill fast to fill the alley, since aggressive user play can beat the stretch before the line finishes reaching the point. This run struggles against gap exchange run blitzes and stacked fronts with the middle linebacker keying the mesh point, so avoid this call if you see an obvious run blitz alignment pre-snap.

Usage Tips

Run this out of neutral personnel looks so the defense cannot pre-diagnose run based on 12 personnel alone, since some defenses will sub in extra linebackers against two tight end sets.

Use your left stick to press the point of attack hard before making a cut, since wide zone in Madden rewards patience over speed boosting north immediately.

Check the box count before the snap, if you see six or more defenders in the box with no run support removed, consider checking to a quick game pass instead.

Pair Mtn Wide Zone with Mtn PA Z Slide and PA Boot Roll from this same formation so the defense has to respect both the zone stretch action and the play-action boot off identical personnel and alignment.

Best used on second and short or first and ten to stay ahead of the chains, and effective in four minute offense situations when you need to control tempo and clock.

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