What it is

The zone read is an option play. The quarterback and running back both move to one side, and the quarterback decides in the last moment whether to hand off or keep the ball.

In a game

He watches one defender, usually the end on the edge. If that defender goes after the running back, the quarterback pulls the ball out and runs. If the defender goes after the quarterback, he gives the ball to the back.

More detail

The offensive line uses zone blocking, so it blocks that defender not at all and leaves him to the quarterback’s decision. The play makes one defender wrong on every snap and became a staple of college and pro offenses.

Animated diagram

1. The quarterback puts the ball into the back’s stomach and watches the defensive end on the edge.
2. The end goes with the running back, so the quarterback pulls the ball out.
3. He runs into the space the end left open. If the end had come for him, he would have handed off.