Playbooks
Power O out of the Heavy set in Maryland I with 32 personnel is a downhill gap scheme run play built to overload the point of attack with double tight ends and a fullback lead blocker. The play side guard pulls to kick out or lead through the hole while the fullback and offside tackle wall off backside pursuit, creating a run play designed to blow open a vertical crease between the tackle and tight end. This is not a man or zone beater in the passing sense since it is a pure run play, and the primary read progression for the running back is to press the play side hole, read the pulling guard's block, and cut off the fullback's lead into the second level.
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is in a base 4-3 or 3-4 look with a stacked box, since light boxes with 6 or fewer defenders are where Power O hits hardest Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they are sitting flat footed reading run fits instead of flowing quickly, the pulling guard and fullback will have a clean track to the second level User-controlled defenders flying downhill into the play side gap can blow up the pulling guard's kick block, so if you see aggressive user movement toward that gap be ready to cut back Against overshifted fronts or a walked up safety in the box, this play loses its blocking advantage and gets strung out, so switch to HB Blast or QB Sneak to attack the opposite side Cornerback and safety alignment matters less here since it is a run play, but watch for safeties creeping into the box pre-snap which signals run blitz recognition and a stacked front designed to stop Power O
Run this out of heavy personnel on early downs when you have a numbers advantage in the box, ideally 6 or fewer defenders against your 7 blockers plus back
Check the defensive front pre-snap and if you see a 4-3 over or under shifted toward the play side gap, consider audibling to HB Lead Dive or bounce to the backside
Use the fullback as your primary lead blocker key, follow his path into the hole rather than committing to a predetermined gap since Power O naturally has cutback lanes
Pair this with PA Power O and PA HB Wheel in the same personnel to keep linebackers and safeties honest against the run action, since the heavy formation and identical backfield action sell the fake
Save Power O for short yardage and goal line situations where the extra blockers in Maryland I create a size and leverage advantage against base or nickel fronts