Protect Your QB on Zone Read

Everyone wants to gain a numbers advantage in the run game by reading a defender. But, if you read and pull consistently, your QB is going to take some hits. The Cardinals have accounted for this by running pistol Zone Read out of a 3-Back Set. I’ve seen teams read the DE and Arc the H-Back to lead the QB outside, but Arizona Arcs both the H-Back and the Off Y.

• Inside Zone Reading the Shade/5 Side

• QB Reads the Field DE

• Y Arcs for Overhang Defender (SS)

• H-Back Reads Inside/Out to Block Sam LB or Safety (whoever shows first)

• QB Keep with a Double Lead

This is essentially the Diamond Formation shifted strong. This is a great way to get your QB involved in the run game without taking unnecessary pounding.

Running Counter with the Grain

Jet and Fly Motion are able to move the defense with a legitimate run threat in the slot. It can prevent the Backside Defender from pursuing on Wide or Outside Zone away from the motion. Usually you see Jet or Fly Motion going the opposite direction from the complimentary run scheme, but using the widening effect on the Frontside can give room for Gap Schemes to operate. In the clip below, Purdue runs Jet with an Arc Release from the H-Back. GT Counter fits in on the heels of the Jet. The DE has been widened by the motion allowing for clear Kick/Lead sequence.

• Run GT Counter at the Shade/5 Side

• H-Back Arcs to Overhang

• Center Blocks Back on the 3 Technique

• RG Blocks Down on the Shade

• RT Climbs to the Will LB

• LG Kicks Out the 5 Technique

• LT Wraps for Mike LB

• QB Reads the Backside DE

Jet Motion widens the Playside DE for GT Counter and the QB reads the Backside DE. If your QB is enough of a threat to run, this play will be extremely difficult to defend without committing 8 to the Box. The Jet Motion also sets up a great Pop Pass to the H-Back on the Inside Seam.

TE/Wing Wide Zone Windback

TE/Wing has become an increasingly popular alignment from Spread Offenses because of the challenges a 4-Man Surface creates for defenses (particularly Odd Front). From Gun Pistol Wide Zone is a staple play that orients the Offensive Coordinator’s design. Off Wide Zone action, you can build a robust Play Action and Boot Series. Another way to protect Wide Zone from being overplayed by the defense is to run Zone Windback.

• RB Steps Strong to the TE/Wing Side, but Reads the H-Back to the Backside C-Gap

• H-Back runs the Split Zone Track to Kickout or Log the DE (depending on depth of DE)

Backside penetration can cause problems for Wide Zone. Ideally the H-Back is hunting for the Backside DE, but the most important thing is cutting off backside penetration. If that penetration occurs, the H-Back creates a Wide Zone Wham effect and the RB presses vertical.