Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Stretch Alert Lookie is an outside zone run out of Singleback Wing with 12 personnel that carries an alert audible tag, giving the QB the ability to check into the Lookie route concept versus a favorable box count. As drawn, the offensive line flows laterally to stretch the defense wide while the HB presses the edge and reads blocks on the move. The tagged receiver at the bottom releases on an angled route toward the flat area near the formation while the outside X runs a corner breaking route up the sideline, giving a built in answer if the alert is triggered instead of the handoff. Primary read progression is stretch the line and press the hole based on the flow of the blocks, with the alert route as a check option against overloaded fronts.
Defensive Reads
Watch the strong safety and slot defender depth pre-snap since a fast-flowing safety in the box signals the offense should alert out of the run. Zone defenses that widen with the tight end wing tend to leave the underneath alert route open, so lurking linebackers need to stay disciplined on flow keys. If defenders explode upfield on outside zone flow, backside cutback lanes open, so contain defenders and backside ends must stay patient and not overrun the play. Man coverage defenders who bail deep on the corner route can be exposed underneath if they do not pass off the shallow angled route quickly. Blitzes off the edge that beat the reach block before the alert check happens are the fastest way to shut this play down, so edge defenders should attack upfield gaps aggressively on the snap.
Usage Tips
Check the box count pre-snap and use the alert tag to bail into Lookie if the defense stacks the box with an extra defender near the wing tight end.
Run this on early downs to keep the defense honest since the outside zone action sets up complementary play-action shots later in the drive.
If the defense shows a hard scrape exchange or fast flow linebackers, use the alert route immediately rather than forcing the handoff into a bad gap.
Pair this play with PA Boot Lt or Close PA Sail later in a series since both share similar backfield action and can freeze linebackers who key run flow.
Against man coverage on the alert route, look for the angled underneath receiver to work open quickly since he beats man defenders trying to squeeze the flat.
