Playbooks
Motion Zone Toss is a run play out of Singleback 12 personnel that uses pre-snap motion to shift the defensive alignment and identify run blitz keys before the snap. The blocking scheme is a toss action to the running back with zone blocking up front, using the offensive line to seal gaps and create a cutback lane while the motion man can adjust the edge numbers. This is a run play designed to attack light boxes and outside zone bubbles, and the primary read progression starts with the frontside alignment of the defensive end and outside linebacker, reading whether to bounce outside or cut back through the frontside gap based on how the second level flows.
Watch the motion response from the defense, if a linebacker or safety follows the motion man across the formation it signals man coverage or a specific run fit adjustment. Identify whether the defensive end sets the edge or crashes down inside, a crashing end opens the bounce outside while a contained end forces a cutback read. Look for overshifted fronts or a heavy box with eight defenders in the box, this kills the toss and should trigger an audible to a play-action concept instead. Key the flow of the linebackers post snap, if they flow hard to the play side immediately, look for the cutback lane behind the zone blocks. Beware of edge blitzes or nano blitz packages from the outside linebacker spot, since toss plays are vulnerable to fast defenders shooting the alley before blockers can get set.
Use the pre-snap motion to bait linebackers into showing their run fits, then freeze the play if you see a hard crash from the edge defender.
Check the box count before the snap, if the defense has six or more in the box, consider audibling to PA Deep Cross or PA Deep Read to punish an overloaded front.
Pair this play with HB Dive and Inside Zone Split in the same drive to keep defenders guessing between inside and outside zone toss action, this sets up cutback lanes later in the game.
On the snap, user the fullback or lead blocker if available and look to seal the first defender outside the tackle box rather than climbing to the second level too early.
Best called on early downs, first and ten or second and short, where defenses are more likely to sit in base fronts instead of nickel or dime packages that clog the toss lane.