Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Close Zone Strg is an inside zone run out of Singleback Wing with 12 personnel, showing a tight formation with wing TE alignment to help seal the edge. The offensive line flows laterally in a zone blocking scheme, working double teams at the point of attack before climbing to the second level, while the HB reads the running lane and can bend the run backside or press it downhill depending on the flow of the defensive front. This is a pure zone run play with no pass option attached, and the primary read progression for the HB is playside cutback lane first, then bounce or bend backside if the playside gap gets clogged.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify the strength of the defensive front and check if the linebackers are stacked over the wing TE, which signals they are keying run to that side. Watch safety depth, if both safeties sit at 10 plus yards in a two high shell, the box is likely light and zone run lanes should open up quickly. Post-snap, key the playside defensive end and linebacker flow, if they crash hard down the line the cutback lane behind them will be there for the HB. Look for a user-controlled linebacker sitting in the hole (lurk) reading the mesh point, this is the primary defender that can blow up the zone run if he stays patient. Against a stacked front with 8 in the box or heavy blitz packages showing pre-snap, this run play loses value and should be replaced with a quick pass or play-action shot.
Usage Tips
Run this out of neutral personnel counts like 1st and 10 or 2nd and short to keep the defense honest against both run and pass looks from the same Wing alignment.
Check the box count pre-snap, if the defense has 7 or more in the box you may want to check to a play-action or perimeter throw from this same formation instead.
Use the wing TE as a lead blocker read, if he can climb and seal the edge defender, bounce the run outside for a bigger gain.
Pair this with Close PA Sail or Close PA Cross from the same set so the defense has to respect both the zone run action and the play-action boot off identical formation and motion.
Against aggressive linebackers who crash hard on zone flow, mix in Counter U from this set to punish overpursuit with the misdirection blocking scheme.
