Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens Running Game: Split Zone

Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty ImagesAfter Lamar Jackson took over at quarterback in the 2018 season, the Ravens used a lot of Split Zone. This running play is blocked like Inside Zone, but with a TE or other blocker cutting back against the grain of the offensive line’s blocks and kicking out the end man on the line of scrimmage:

In order to use Jackson’s unique talents in the running game, the Ravens also would pick their spots to read the defensive end on this play, giving Jackson the option to hand the ball to the back or pull it based on the DE’s reaction:

On the option version of this play, the Ravens utilized a “Bluff” technique by their tight end, who would bypass the end man on the…