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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
HB Toss Crack is an outside run play out of the I Form Tight 22 personnel set that gets the HB the edge in a hurry with a crack block scheme from the receiver or TE aligned to the play side. The FB and playside tackle pull or seal inside to wash down linebackers while the crack block eliminates the force defender, creating a running lane on the perimeter. This is a run play with no pass option, and the primary read is bounce versus bend: the HB reads the crack block and the edge defender first, then decides to bounce it outside if the alley is clogged or bend it upfield if the linebackers flow too far.
Defensive Reads
Key the playside cornerback and slot defender pre snap, if they show outside leverage or a hard corner they can blow up the crack block before it develops. Watch for a fast flowing Mike linebacker or user controlled defender who scrapes over the top, since that is the primary defender who can chase down the bounce. Identify Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells with the corner playing off, this play thrives against those shells because the crack block has a clean angle. Look for run blitzes or edge pressure called from the boundary, since a defensive end or outside linebacker crashing hard can beat the crack block to the spot. Post snap, track the safety rotation, if the safety fills quickly downhill the HB should bend it back inside rather than trying to bounce outside.
Usage Tips
Attack defenses that show a light box with safeties rotated deep since the crack block only needs to handle one force defender.
Check the alignment of the playside cornerback and slot defender pre snap, if they are playing off or bailing into zone the crack block will be uncontested.
Use HB Toss Crack on early downs like first and ten or second and short to keep defenses honest against your inside run game like HB Power O and HB Iso.
Pair this play in sequence with FB Fake HB Toss and PA Sprint HB Flat since they sell the same toss action and punish linebackers who key hard on the crack block.
Avoid calling this into stacked box looks with extra defenders showing outside leverage, since the crack blocker will be outnumbered at the point of attack.
