Playbooks

Wide Zone Wk

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

Quick Reference

FormationSingleback

In 1 playbook

Franchise Offense 4thsunofoctOffense

Breakdown

Wide Zone Wk out of Singleback Bunch Ace is a zone run play design that sends the offensive line laterally to create a stretch look before the running back picks his gap. This is a run play, not a pass concept, so there is no man beater or zone beater route tree to worry about. With 12 personnel on the field (1 RB, 2 TE), the play gets extra beef at the point of attack, and the primary read progression for the ball carrier is playside cutback lane first, then bounce outside if the edge is sealed, with a backside cutback as the final option if the defense overpursues.

Defensive Reads

Key the playside defensive end and outside linebacker leverage before the snap, since a wide alignment invites the bounce read while tight leverage forces the cutback. Watch for a Mike linebacker sitting still or creeping toward the line, which signals a run blitz that this zone play can gash if the cutback lane opens behind the blitzer. This run struggles against gap exchange fronts and disciplined defensive lines that stay square, so if you see a 4-3 Under or 46 front with contain rules, expect the cutback lanes to be clogged. Check for a user controlled linebacker flowing hard playside, since that opens the backside cutback for a big gain if he overcommits. Heavy blitz packages with extra defenders crashing downhill can be susceptible early snap counts, but disciplined zone blitz teams that keep a spy or backside contain defender will limit this play to short gains.

Usage Tips

Attack light boxes with 6 or fewer defenders in the box, since the extra tight end from 12 personnel gives you a numbers advantage at the second level.

Watch pre-snap safety alignment. If both safeties are deep in a two high shell, the box is usually softer and this zone run hits quicker.

Use motion or a hard count to bait linebackers into showing blitz or flowing early, which opens up the cutback lane this play is built to exploit.

Pair Wide Zone Wk with Inside Zone Split and HB Zone Wk in the same set to keep linebacker flow guessing between wide zone stretch and tighter downhill zone runs.

Call this on early downs, first and second and short to medium yardage, to stay ahead of the count and set up PA Boot Corner Post or PA Boot Rt later in the drive off the same zone action.

Avoid calling this into stacked eight man boxes unless you have a lead blocker advantage, since the zone stretch needs room to develop before the cut.

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