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offense / outside run
A perimeter run that stretches every defender before the runner makes one decisive cut.
Animated assignment view
The offense confirms the force defender and the widest second-level pursuit player before the snap.
Ball: center
How it works
The offensive line steps laterally and works to reach play-side leverage. The runner threatens the edge, forcing pursuit to move horizontally, then chooses the first clean lane outside, vertically, or back across the flow.
Make the defense defend the full field width and create cut lanes when pursuit loses discipline.
Press the edge hard enough to widen pursuit before choosing the lane.
Everyone moves toward the sideline, making defenders run sideways. The back then turns upfield through whichever opening appears.
The aiming point is a tool for stretching the front, not a promise to bounce; efficient wide-zone runners get vertical as soon as leverage declares.
Decision point
The back presses the perimeter, then reads whether the edge is sealed, a vertical seam appears, or pursuit overruns the play.
Keep racing toward the edge behind the tight end's reach block.
high riskGet north through the first crease between the tackle and tight end.
low riskReverse behind the flowing front when backside contain disappears.
medium risk{
"schema": "openplay-football",
"schemaVersion": "0.1",
"id": "outside-zone",
"slug": "outside-zone",
"name": "Outside Zone",
"side": "offense",
"category": "outside-run",
"personnel": {
"id": "eleven-personnel",
"name": "11 Personnel",
"grouping": "1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR",
"positionCounts": {
"QB": 1,
"RB": 1,
"WR": 3,
"TE": 1,
"OL": 5
}
},
"formation": {
"id": "singleback-tight",
"name": "Singleback Tight",
"family": "under-center",
"strength": "right",
"description": "The tight end sets a strong edge while three receivers compress the secondary."
},
"situationTags": [
"early-down",
"wide-flow",
"play-action-pair"
],
"players": [
{
"id": "qb",
"position": "QB",
"label": "QB",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 26.67,
"y": -2
},
"alignment": "Under center",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "quarterback"
},
{
"id": "rb",
"position": "RB",
"label": "RB",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 26.67,
"y": -7
},
"alignment": "Singleback",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "runningBack"
},
{
"id": "x",
"position": "WR",
"label": "X",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 6,
"y": -1
},
"alignment": "Wide left",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "receivers"
},
{
"id": "h",
"position": "WR",
"label": "H",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 16,
"y": -1
},
"alignment": "Reduced left",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "receivers"
},
{
"id": "y",
"position": "TE",
"label": "Y",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 35.5,
"y": -1
},
"alignment": "Attached right",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "tightEnds"
},
{
"id": "z",
"position": "WR",
"label": "Z",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 45,
"y": -1
},
"alignment": "Reduced right",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "receivers"
},
{
"id": "lt",
"position": "LT",
"label": "LT",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 21,
"y": -1
},
"alignment": "Line",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "runBlocking"
},
{
"id": "lg",
"position": "LG",
"label": "LG",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 24,
"y": -1
},
"alignment": "Line",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "runBlocking"
},
{
"id": "c",
"position": "C",
"label": "C",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 26.67,
"y": -1
},
"alignment": "Line",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "runBlocking"
},
{
"id": "rg",
"position": "RG",
"label": "RG",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 29.4,
"y": -1
},
"alignment": "Line",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "runBlocking"
},
{
"id": "rt",
"position": "RT",
"label": "RT",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 32.4,
"y": -1
},
"alignment": "Line",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "runBlocking"
}
],
"preSnap": {
"description": "The offense confirms the force defender and the widest second-level pursuit player before the snap.",
"shifts": []
},
"assignments": [
{
"id": "rb-wide-track",
"playerId": "rb",
"startsAtMs": 650,
"endsAtMs": 3400,
"coachingPoint": "Press the edge hard enough to widen pursuit before choosing the lane.",
"type": "run-path",
"path": [
{
"type": "curve",
"control": {
"x": 31,
"y": -4
},
"to": {
"x": 37,
"y": 2
}
},
{
"type": "curve",
"control": {
"x": 41,
"y": 6
},
"to": {
"x": 40,
"y": 14
}
}
],
"aimingPoint": "Outside leg of the tight end"
},
{
"id": "tight-end-reach",
"playerId": "y",
"type": "run-block",
"responsibility": "Reach or widen the force defender at the edge."
},
{
"id": "right-tackle-reach",
"playerId": "rt",
"type": "run-block",
"responsibility": "Gain outside leverage on the end or wash him past the track."
},
{
"id": "right-guard-reach",
"playerId": "rg",
"type": "run-block",
"responsibility": "Stretch the defensive tackle laterally and prevent penetration."
},
{
"id": "center-reach",
"playerId": "c",
"type": "run-block",
"responsibility": "Cut off the play-side shade and climb when secured."
},
{
"id": "left-tackle-cutoff",
"playerId": "lt",
"type": "run-block",
"responsibility": "Prevent backside pursuit from crossing the runner's path."
}
],
"decisionPoint": {
"id": "choose-wide-zone-lane",
"triggerTimeMs": 1900,
"prompt": "How should the back react to the stretched front?",
"explanation": "The back presses the perimeter, then reads whether the edge is sealed, a vertical seam appears, or pursuit overruns the play.",
"options": [
{
"id": "press-outside",
"label": "Press outside",
"description": "Keep racing toward the edge behind the tight end's reach block.",
"intendedRead": "The force defender is sealed inside.",
"riskLevel": "high"
},
{
"id": "plant-vertical",
"label": "Plant and cut vertically",
"description": "Get north through the first crease between the tackle and tight end.",
"intendedRead": "The edge widens and the interior defender is reached.",
"riskLevel": "low"
},
{
"id": "cut-behind-pursuit",
"label": "Cut back behind pursuit",
"description": "Reverse behind the flowing front when backside contain disappears.",
"intendedRead": "The defense has overrun the stretch path.",
"riskLevel": "medium"
}
]
},
"timeline": [
{
"type": "pre-snap",
"atMs": 0
},
{
"type": "snap",
"atMs": 500
},
{
"type": "assignment-start",
"atMs": 650,
"playerId": "rb"
},
{
"type": "decision-pause",
"atMs": 1900,
"decisionPointId": "choose-wide-zone-lane"
},
{
"type": "contact",
"atMs": 3400,
"playerIds": [
"rb",
"y"
]
},
{
"type": "play-end",
"atMs": 4200
}
],
"narrative": {
"summary": "A perimeter run that stretches every defender before the runner makes one decisive cut.",
"fullExplanation": "The offensive line steps laterally and works to reach play-side leverage. The runner threatens the edge, forcing pursuit to move horizontally, then chooses the first clean lane outside, vertically, or back across the flow.",
"strategicPurpose": "Make the defense defend the full field width and create cut lanes when pursuit loses discipline.",
"idealSituations": [
"First down",
"Against slow interior defenders",
"After establishing inside runs"
],
"strengths": [
"Stresses pursuit angles",
"Creates explosive cutbacks",
"Pairs with boot action"
],
"weaknesses": [
"Edge penetration disrupts the track",
"Fast linebackers can close vertical cuts"
],
"keyRead": "Read the edge defender first, then the next interior down lineman while maintaining the wide track.",
"watchFor": [
"The tight end's edge leverage",
"The runner's shoulders staying square",
"Backside pursuit"
],
"beginnerExplanation": "Everyone moves toward the sideline, making defenders run sideways. The back then turns upfield through whichever opening appears.",
"advancedNote": "The aiming point is a tool for stretching the front, not a promise to bounce; efficient wide-zone runners get vertical as soon as leverage declares."
},
"simulation": {
"difficulty": "intermediate",
"conceptTags": [
"run",
"outside-zone",
"zone-blocking"
],
"baseSuccessRate": 0.57,
"yardRange": {
"min": -7,
"max": 35
},
"turnoverRisk": 0.014
}
}