Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 96 playbooks
Breakdown
Strong Toss out of Goal Line Offense (Normal set, 23 personnel) is a pure run play with no route concepts on the diagram. The HB takes a lateral toss to the strong side and follows his blockers, aiming to bounce outside the tackle box before defenders can flow and fill the alley. The blocking scheme pulls linemen and lead blockers to the play side to seal the edge, making this a numbers and leverage run rather than a man or zone beater. Primary read progression for the ball carrier is bounce outside first, then cut back inside if the edge defender squeezes down too hard.
Defensive Reads
Watch for defensive ends and outside linebackers crashing down hard, this is the biggest key that Strong Toss will get strung out or stopped for a loss. Identify if the defense is running a heavy goal line front with extra defensive linemen, since this reduces the toss's effectiveness by clogging the edge before blockers arrive. Look for a scraping linebacker who reads toss action quickly and flows to the perimeter, this is a common way user-controlled defenders blow up the play. Check strong safety depth and alignment pre-snap, if he is stacked close to the box he can be an unblocked run support defender who forces the ball back inside. Watch corner support on the play side edge, an aggressive cornerback playing run force can set the edge and eliminate the bounce lane entirely.
Usage Tips
Use Strong Toss in short yardage and goal line situations where defenses are stacked in the box expecting a dive or power run up the middle.
Check the defensive front pre-snap for overloaded strong side alignment, if the defense shows heavy numbers to the play side, consider audibling to a weak side run instead.
Pair this with FB Dive and HB Dive to keep defenders honest on interior gaps, then hit Strong Toss when linebackers start crashing inside on run fits.
Mix in Power O and HB Power G from this same set so the defense cannot key on toss action based on formation alone.
User the fullback or lead blocker at the point of attack to manually seal the edge defender and create a clean bounce lane for the HB.
