Bash Read

Bash Read (back away) is a spread-option concept that inverts traditional ball-carrier roles. In standard option plays like Zone Read, the running back attacks the interior blocking scheme while the quarterback threatens the perimeter. Bash reverses this: the running back runs away from the blocking scheme on a wide perimeter sweep, while the quarterback executes the primary run if he keeps.

When paired with Counter (creating Counter Bash), the offensive line blocks GT Counter: the backside guard kicks out the frontside edge and the backside tackle wraps into the off-tackle C-gap for the play-side linebacker. Instead of following those pullers, the running back sprints to the opposite perimeter, stretching the defense laterally across the full width of the field.

After the snap, the quarterback rides the running back through the mesh point, reading the unblocked backside edge defender (read defender):

Give (Sweep)

If the read defender squeezes down inside or attacks the quarterback to defend Counter, the quarterback hands the ball off to the running back into open grass on the perimeter.

Keep (Counter)

If the read defender widens to contain the sweep, the quarterback pulls the ball and cuts back behind the pulling guard and tackle into the off-tackle Counter lane.

This design breaks standard linebacker read keys. Inside linebackers are trained to flow with pulling linemen. On Counter Bash, following the pullers surrenders the perimeter sweep, while scraping wide with the back vacates the box and allows the quarterback to follow two lead blockers with a numerical advantage.

Playbook Examples

• Bash Readinverted read option pairing an outside back sweep with an off-tackle Counter keepSpread Option