Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Power O out of the Full House Tight formation is a downhill gap scheme run play designed to pull a blocker across the formation and create a numbers advantage at the point of attack. The diagram shows the offensive line blocking down while the HB takes a slight lead step before hitting the hole behind the pulling blocker, with the fullback and extra backfield bodies from the Full House alignment cracking down on the edge defender. This is a run play, not a man or zone beater in the passing sense, and the primary read for the HB is to press the pulling blocker's tail, identify the first color that shows in the hole, and cut off the down blocks based on how the defensive front flows.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, look for stacked linebackers or a heavy box since Power O struggles against extra run defenders who can fill gaps quickly Watch for a Mike linebacker who reads the pulling guard immediately and fills downhill, since this is the primary defender who can blow up the play at the mesh point Cover 3 and other single high safety shells with an aggressive strong safety in the box are the toughest matchup for this run since they add a hat to every gap User controlled defensive tackles who cross-crash into the play side gap can disrupt the down blocks before the puller arrives, so spy for manual DL stunts Light boxes with two high safeties and off ball linebackers give this play its best angles, since the puller can climb to the second level untouched
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and only run Power O into fronts with five or fewer men in the box since the extra Full House blockers can only handle so much extra defensive help
Use the pre-snap alignment of the linebackers to identify if you are facing a base 4-3 or 3-4 front, since the pulling guard's path changes depending on where the play side defensive tackle or end lines up
Motion a backfield player pre-snap to bait the defense into showing blitz or man coverage rotation, then confirm the run lane before the snap
Pair Power O with PA Power O and PA Ctr Waggle to keep defenders honest, since both plays start with the same initial line movement and backfield action
On short yardage or goal line situations, trust the pulling blocker's lead and stay patient rather than trying to bounce the run outside prematurely
