Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
HB Dive Alert Smoke is a run play out of the I Form Slot Flex 21 personnel set with a built-in pre-snap alert to a smoke screen. The base play is a downhill HB Dive with the fullback leading through the hole behind the interior line, while the flexed slot receiver runs a quick smoke screen route with the outside receiver stalk blocking to set up the perimeter. This is not a man or zone beater in the traditional sense since the primary design is a run play, but the smoke alert gives you a built-in answer versus overplayed run fits or aggressive edge pressure, with the primary read being the smoke throw first if the corner is soft or crashing, then the dive read on the interior line if the box is light.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flexed slot receiver's cornerback pre-snap, if he is playing tight man coverage on the line, the smoke alert is dead and the offense will likely run the dive. Key the defensive tackles and mike linebacker depth, if they are sitting flat footed instead of flowing to the fullback's lead path, the dive has a clean crease for the runner. User the flexed defender over the smoke receiver if you suspect the alert, jumping the route early to bait the quarterback into a bad decision or force the dive. Zone shells with a hard corner squat at five yards take away the smoke throw completely, forcing the offense into the dive every time regardless of the box count. Stack the box with an extra safety or nickel defender on early downs to remove the dive's natural lanes, which pressures the offense to rely on the smoke alert against your leverage.
Usage Tips
Check the corner alignment on the flexed receiver before the snap, if he is playing off or shaded inside, trigger the smoke alert immediately for a free five yard gain.
Count the box before the snap, if the defense has six or fewer defenders in the box, stick with the dive and trust the fullback lead block through the hole.
Use this play early in your play calling sequence to set up 94 Will and 95 Mike later, since defenses that key hard on the dive action become vulnerable to those play action shots.
Pair this with Double Slants on the following snap if the defense sends extra run support after seeing the dive alert convert to a smoke, since that leaves the intermediate middle exposed.
Best used on early downs in run heavy personnel packages where defenses are more likely to sell out against the dive, giving the smoke alert a higher conversion rate.
