Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Lead Dive out of I Form Slot 21 personnel is a pure downhill run play with the FB leading through the hole in front of the HB. The diagram shows the offensive line blocking straight ahead at the point of attack with the FB kicking through the A or B gap to lead block on the first defender past the line, while the two outside receivers run vertical routes to occupy the corners and clear space. This is a run play designed to attack light boxes and gap fits, with the primary read being the FB lead blocker's path, hitting the hole he opens or bouncing outside if the alley is sealed.
Defensive Reads
Identify the Mike linebacker's alignment pre-snap, if he is stacked directly over the center he can plug the dive lane before the FB gets a clean track. Watch for a run blitz or nano blitz off the edge, since this play has no outlet protection built in against immediate penetration. Check safety depth, a single high safety cheating down into the box signals run support that can beat this play if the FB whiffs his kickout block. Look for defensive tackles slanting hard into the play side gap, which disrupts the interior lead blocking scheme before the FB can climb to the second level. Cover 2 or Cover 3 shells with linebackers sitting at normal depth are the most vulnerable since they leave standard gap spacing for the FB to lead into.
Usage Tips
Check the box count pre-snap and only run this against six or fewer defenders in the box to avoid gang tackles at the line.
Use the FB as your visual key, follow his shoulders and let him identify which gap is opening before committing the HB.
Hot route the outside vertical receivers into quick hitches or slants if you see press man coverage to force a corner to declare run or pass late.
Pair this with HB Stretch Alert Bubble and HB Toss earlier in a series so the defense has to respect outside speed before you hit them with the interior lead dive.
Best called on early downs and short yardage or goal to go situations where a physical, north south gap scheme run can pick up positive yardage against predictable run fits.
