Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 96 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Dive out of Goal Line Offense in the Normal set is a straight downhill run play designed to punch the ball into the end zone from short yardage. The diagram shows the offensive line blocking straight ahead at the point of attack with no receivers running routes, and the HB (red arrow) taking a quick handoff and diving directly north through the interior gap behind the center or guard. This is a pure power run play, not a play-action, RPO, or screen, and the primary read is simply to identify the first crease up front, whether that is the A gap or B gap, and hit it with one cut and maximum force.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, count the box defenders. A goal line or 46 front with six or seven in the box is designed to stop exactly this play, so expect a stuffed run if the offense does not adjust. Watch linebacker depth. If linebackers are crashing downhill immediately at the snap rather than reading, they are keying run and will fill the dive lane fast. Post-snap, defenders should attack the first gap they see rather than reading the fullback or line flow, since there is no misdirection or counter action to bait them out of position. User a linebacker or defensive lineman straight into the A gap to blow up the play before the back can get vertical, since this play has almost no lateral stretch to escape a good gap shot. This play is shut down hard by heavy goal line fronts and nano blitzes that crash both A gaps immediately, but it can pop for a score if the defense lines up too light in the box or shows a soft nickel look near the goal line.
Usage Tips
Use this play almost exclusively inside the five yard line or on third and fourth and short when you need one or two yards.
Pre-snap, look at how the defense stacks the box. If you see six or more defenders crowded at the line, consider a hard count or audible to HB Power G or FB Dive instead since those bring extra lead blockers.
Mix HB Dive with QB Sneak and FB Dive in your goal line series so the defense cannot key on a single gap or ball carrier every snap.
User your fullback or lead blocker if the formation allows it and manually seal the first unblocked defender at the point of attack rather than trusting the AI blocking every time.
Avoid calling this on early downs from outside the ten yard line since the lack of misdirection makes it easy for a stacked defensive front to blow it up for a loss.
