Wide Splits
Receivers outside the numbers — stretch them out.
Receivers aligned wide, sometimes a step from the sideline. Wide splits stretch the defense horizontally: a bigger run box, isolated corners, and safeties who can't help both sides at once.
What it does to the defense
Horizontal stretch: the box gets lighter because defenders are spread out, corners are left on islands, and one safety can't overlap two wide sides.
How each scheme uses it
Air Raid
Four verticals from wide splits: maximum isolation on every route.
West Coast
Quick outs and hitches vs corners playing soft with no help.
Power Run (Gap)
Inside run against a light box — then the play-action shot when they adjust.
Wide Zone
The natural home: stretch and bootleg with maximum spacing to defend.
Spread Option
QB run game against a box that's spread thin across the field.
Vertical
Outside fades: the corner is alone, and the ball goes where only your guy gets it.