The idea is to "stretch" the entire defense the width of the field. This provides for numerous cutback lanes for the ball carrier to insert himself. Although the play is intended to circle the defense, it will often cut-up instead of cutting back like inside zone schemes.

Running the Stretch Play Several different ways exist to run the outside-zone play and maximize the pulling of the offensive linemen. explains how to perform the stretch play by blocking four to a side to the tight end and details several different schemes that can be employed for executing it.