Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 11 playbooks
Breakdown
Inside Zone out of Singleback Bunch TE is a pure zone run play with the bunch alignment (three receivers stacked tight) to one side and the HB aligned offset in the backfield. The offensive line executes a zone blocking scheme, working double teams at the point of attack and climbing to the second level based on the flow of the defensive front, with the HB reading the RG/RT combo block first before working to the backside cutback lane if the playside gets clogged. This is a straightforward run concept, not a play-action or RPO, designed to manufacture vertical seams inside zone fronts and gap-heavy alignments.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify the strong safety depth and count defenders in the box, this play struggles against stacked eight man fronts Watch the Mike linebacker's alignment, if he is shaded to the bunch side pre-snap he is likely keying run flow toward that side Post-snap, key the first level of the defensive line for penetration, a well timed A gap or B gap shoot blitz can blow this play up before the double team forms User controlled defenders sitting in the hole or crashing down hard off the edge will erase the cutback lane, so have a bail out mindset if the front collapses fast Base 4-3 and 3-4 fronts without extra edge pressure are the easiest shells to run against, while heavy blitz packages with stacked A gaps shut this down quickly
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and only run this into light boxes with six or fewer defenders in the tackle box
Use the bunch alignment to bait linebackers into peeking at potential motion or picks, then snap it quickly to catch them flat footed against the run
Hot route the playside TE to a stalk or seal block if you see an overhang defender cheating into the alignment
Pair this with Zone Fake Jet or Jet Sweep from the same set to keep defenders honest on run fits since both plays share the same initial line movement
Best used on early downs, especially first and ten or second and short, to stay ahead of the sticks and set up later play-action shots like PA Boot or PA Draw Shot from this same formation
