Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
FB Dive out of the Far Slot set is a straight downhill run play built around interior gap blocking, with the offensive line stepping in unison to create a vertical seam and the fullback taking the handoff directly through the A or B gap. The diagram shows a simple one-back run concept without any pass routes attached, confirming this is a pure run play rather than a play-action or RPO look. The primary read progression is single-gap: identify the initial crease from the line surge and hit it immediately, with the backside cutback as the only secondary option if the frontside gap gets clogged.
Defensive Reads
Sell out on inside run fits when you diagnose 21 personnel out of Far Slot, since the alignment signals heavy run intent. Key the fullback's initial burst point post-snap, if he presses the A gap hard, flow your mike linebacker downhill immediately without hesitating on run/pass keys. Stacked run fronts and heavy blitz packages with extra defenders in the box shut this play down fast, so show six-plus in the box pre-snap to bait a checkdown. Watch for user-controlled defenders spying the fullback lane, since a manual linebacker plug can blow this play up before it develops. Light boxes with two-high safety shells or nickel packages are the most vulnerable to this play, so rotate a safety down or bring a linebacker into the box when you see spread personnel matched against it.
Usage Tips
Call FB Dive when the defense shows a light box (six or fewer defenders) since the play thrives on numbers advantage at the point of attack.
Use it on short yardage and third or fourth and one to convert, since the quick-hitting design limits negative play risk.
Watch pre-snap linebacker depth, if the mikes are stacked tight to the line expect fast fills and consider hot routing or checking to a different play from the set.
Pair FB Dive with HB Slip Screen and Curl Drag in the same series so defenses that key run fits get burned by the play-action tempo and the screen once they start crashing hard.
Mix in Double Slant or China Special after a couple of successful dives to punish linebackers who start cheating up into the box.
