Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
FB Dive Strong is a downhill run play out of the I Form Slot set with 21 personnel, handing the ball to the fullback who takes a direct dive path through the strong side A or B gap. The diagram shows the fullback aligned in the backfield with a short, quick path straight into the line, while the offensive line blocks down to create a natural crease behind the double team at the point of attack. This is a pure run play designed to attack aggressive fronts and light boxes rather than a man or zone beater in the passing sense, and the primary read progression for the ball carrier is to press the strong side gap first, then bounce off the double team block if the initial hole is clogged.
Defensive Reads
Watch the middle linebacker depth before the snap, if he is sitting shallow and stacked behind the nose tackle he can fill the strong side gap quickly and blow this play up. Key the defensive tackle alignment on the strong side, a shaded nose or three technique that is already in the gap can beat the double team block before the fullback gets there. Look for user-controlled defenders spying the fullback in the backfield since a quick trigger from a linebacker or safety in the box negates the dive before it develops. This play struggles against gap-control run fits and disciplined 4-3 under fronts that keep linebackers square, but it can gash defenses running Cover 3 or Cover 1 with light boxes and safeties out of the picture. Blitz packages that send extra defenders through the strong side A gap on a delayed run blitz are the biggest threat to this concept since the fullback has almost no time to read and adjust.
Usage Tips
Use FB Dive Strong on early downs or short yardage situations like third and one or fourth and one where you need a quick, high percentage gain. Check the defensive box count pre-snap, if the defense has six or fewer defenders in the box this play hits fast because the fullback only needs one crease. Pair this play with HB Lead Dive and HB Power O in your play-calling sequence since both use similar downhill blocking looks and will keep linebackers guessing about which back is getting the ball. Avoid calling this against heavy stacked fronts with eight in the box since there is no cutback design built into the diagram. Mix in Jet Sweep or PA Jet Sweep after running this a few times to punish defenders who start flowing hard to the strong side dive action.
