Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Inside Zone Split is a straightforward zone run play out of Singleback U Off Trio with 12 personnel on the field. The diagram shows the offensive line executing a zone blocking scheme with double teams designed to create movement at the point of attack, while the HB takes a slight split path behind the QB to attack the inside zone lane. The two vertical routes on the outside are decoys to hold corners and safeties in coverage, but the primary read is the HB following his zone blocking and picking the correct gap based on how the defensive line flows.
Defensive Reads
Watch the defensive tackles and nose guard alignment pre-snap since a shaded or heavy interior front can win the double team battle and blow up the play at the mesh point. Key the linebacker depth before the snap, as linebackers sitting tight to the line of scrimmage in run fits will close cutback lanes quickly against this concept. Post-snap, track the flow of the defensive line to determine if they are reading run fast, since disciplined gap control defenses that do not overpursue will limit this play to minimal gains. User-controlled defenders spying the B gap or crashing down hard off the edge can string this play out, so be ready to bounce the HB outside if the inside lanes are sealed. This play struggles against loaded boxes with eight or more defenders in run support, so if you see a heavy blitz package pre-snap consider an audible to one of the play-action passes in this set instead.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs like first and second and short to medium yardage situations to stay ahead of the chains and keep defenses honest against your play-action shots from this same formation.
Check the defensive front pre-snap and identify if the defense is in a 4-3 or 3-4 look since heavier fronts with extra defenders in the box can clog the inside zone lanes.
Take control of the HB manually if you are comfortable reading blocks in real time, since inside zone rewards patience and one cut decisiveness rather than pure speed to the hole.
Pair this play with PA Boot Slide or PA Dagger U Cross from the same U Off Trio set to keep linebackers frozen once you have established the inside zone run on tape.
Avoid calling this into stacked box looks with extra defenders showing blitz, since the numbers advantage favors the defense and you should audible to a pass concept instead.
