Playbooks
In 16 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Power O out of the I Form Wing set is a gap scheme run play built to move a lead blocker through a designated hole while the offensive line pulls to seal the point of attack. The diagram shows the HB aligned deep behind the QB with the FB offset in the Wing, and the backfield action converges toward the play side gap with the lead blocker kicking out the edge defender or wrapping through for the linebacker. This is strictly a run play with no route concept or pass option shown, so the primary read progression is pre-snap alignment first (count the box) then post-snap patience: press the mesh point, read the pulling guard and FB kick block, and hit the hole once it opens rather than bouncing early.
Defensive Reads
Watch the defensive line's shade pre-snap, if there is a 3-technique or 4i to the play side the puller has a longer path and may get picked off, so consider bouncing to the weak side. Key the play side linebacker's depth, if he is stacked tight to the line he can shoot the gap before the FB gets his kick block set. Look for an overloaded box from a run blitz or 8-man front, which is the biggest killer of Power O since the lead blocker gets outnumbered at the point of attack. Man coverage on the backside with no extra run support (single high safety, corners pressed) is where this play hits hardest since the defense lacks a spy or extra flow defender. User-controlled defenders flying downhill from depth (a Mike linebacker or strong safety) can blow up the pull, so if you see a user closing fast pre-snap, be ready to check to a quicker hitting run instead.
Usage Tips
Check the box count pre-snap and only run Power O into light boxes of six or fewer defenders since the FB and pulling lineman need numbers to work with.
Use motion or a hard count to bait linebackers into flowing early, which widens the play side gap for the puller.
Pair this with HB Lead and HB Inside Zone from the same I Form Wing personnel to keep the defense honest on gap direction and prevent them from keying the pull every snap.
Run this on early downs (first and ten, second and short) when defenses are more likely to sit in base fronts rather than sub packages that remove size from the box.
Combine it with PA Power O from the same set later in a drive so the play-action off identical backfield action punishes linebackers who bit on the run fake.
