Playbooks
Mtn Zone Split is a zone running concept out of Singleback Deuce Close Tilt that stresses the play side of the defense with inside zone blocking while the split backfield alignment gives an extra lead blocker or misdirection element at the mesh point. The offensive line works zone steps and combo blocks to the play side linebacker, with the fullback or second back available to seal the edge or pick off a flowing linebacker. This is a run play, and the primary read progression starts with the play side double team, then bounces to the bounce lane if the frontside gets clogged, and finally cuts back if backside pursuit overruns the play.
Identify the play side linebacker depth pre-snap, if he is stacked tight behind the defensive line he is reading run fits fast and will fill the gap immediately. Watch for a crashing defensive end or edge blitzer, this run beats slow-flowing zone fronts but gets stuffed by penetrating four man fronts that shoot gaps. Key the safety rotation, a single high safety shell means less run support underneath, which favors the cutback lane, while two deep safeties often leave an extra defender in the box against this personnel. Look for user-controlled linebackers flying downhill too aggressively, that opens the cutback lane behind them since the zone blocking naturally creates a gap once the backside defender overpursues. Against heavy blitz packages or all-out pressure looks, this play struggles because there are not enough blockers to account for extra rushers, check to a quick pass instead if you see max blitz indicators.
Run this on early downs like first and ten or second and short to keep defenses honest and set up your play-action shots later in the drive.
Check the box count before the snap, if the defense has six or more in the box, be ready to bounce this outside rather than force it inside.
Use hot routes sparingly here, this is primarily a run play, but you can motion the second back to check for man versus zone coverage based on whether a defender follows.
Pair this with Mtn Zone Toss and Mtn HB Misdirection Lt in the same drive so linebackers cannot sit on one zone landmark, the similar backfield action keeps them guessing.
Follow up with Mtn PA Jet Sweep or Mtn Zone Fake Jet once you have hit this a few times, the play-action off the same zone steps punishes linebackers who key run too hard.