Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Stretch out of Strong I Z Close is an outside zone run play designed to get the halfback moving laterally before deciding where to plant and cut upfield. The offensive line executes a zone blocking scheme, sliding as a unit toward the play side to seal a running lane, with the fullback leading through the hole to pick off the first defender to show. This is a pure zone run play built to attack overpursuing defenses, giving the ball carrier a one cut and go read once he presses the edge.
Defensive Reads
Key the play side defensive end and outside linebacker pre-snap, if they are sitting wide with contain responsibility this play struggles to bounce outside. Watch for stacked fronts or 4-3 under looks with an extra defender in the box, that alignment allows the defense to win the edge before the tackle can seal it. Post-snap, track how fast the linebackers flow to the play side, disciplined linebackers who stay square and read their gaps can string this run out and force a cutback into traffic. Look for user defenders spying the fullback lead block, if the defense is manually crashing down on the FB immediately, expect the cutback lane to be the answer. This play struggles against aggressive gap-shooting defensive tackles and blitz packages that get penetration before the zone blocking can develop, so avoid calling it into heavy interior blitz tendencies.
Usage Tips
Run this out of Strong I Z Close when the defense shows a light box or a two high shell that suggests they are worried about play action, since the extra gap created by the FB lead helps you win numbers at the point of attack.
Watch defensive line alignment before the snap, if the defensive ends are crashing hard inside or the front is shaded strong, bounce the aiming point wider to stretch the edge defender.
Use your fullback lead block as the primary read, key his block to decide between the bounce, bang, or cutback lane rather than committing to a predetermined gap.
Pair this play with PA Sail or PA Post Dig from the same set to keep linebackers honest, since the play action look off the same personnel and formation forces defenders to respect the run fake.
Best called on early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and short) where defenses are not selling out to stop the pass, and mix in HB Dive from the same set to keep the defense guessing between inside and outside zone looks.
