HB Dive

Pre-snap, count the box and check linebacker depth since stacked fronts with linebackers sitting on the line will clog the dive lane immediately. Watch for safety rotation, if both safeties stay deep in a two-high shell the box is likely light and this run has room to hit. Post-snap, key the middle linebacker's first step, a fast downhill trigger means he is reading run and will fill the gap before the back can get through. This play struggles against gap-control schemes and defensive tackles who two-gap, but it gashes defenses running Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells that keep extra defenders deep instead of stacked in the box. Watch for a user-controlled defender flying downhill immediately after the snap, since that usually signals the human is jumping the dive and a cutback or counter play may be more effective on the next call.