Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
FB Dive out of Maryland I in the Tight Close set is a straight downhill run play that hands the ball to the fullback through the direct middle of the line. The diagram shows the fullback taking a short lead step before receiving the handoff and hitting the A gap immediately, with the offensive line blocking straight ahead in a base run scheme to seal the interior. This is a pure run play, not a play-action or RPO look, and the primary read is simply to find daylight in the A or B gap based on how the defensive line and linebackers flow to the point of attack.
Defensive Reads
Key the middle linebacker depth immediately at the snap, if he is sitting shallow expecting the dive he will close the A gap fast. Watch for a stacked box with the safety cheating down pre-snap, this is the clearest sign the defense is selling out to stop FB Dive. Man coverage on the perimeter typically means fewer defenders in the box, so look for one on one blocking wins up front before committing to a gap. Zone fronts with linebackers reading run first will flow hard to the fullback, so any hesitation from the offensive line usually means the defense has diagnosed the play. Nano blitz packages that send an extra rusher through the A gap untouched will blow this play up immediately, so check for a defender lined up head up on the center pre-snap.
Usage Tips
Run this play on early downs when you need a quick, low risk gain to stay ahead of the chains. Check the box count pre-snap, if the defense is showing six or more in the box, consider audibling to a play-action shot off this same formation instead. Use FB Dive early in a drive to set up defensive tendencies before hitting them with HB Blast or Power O out of the same Maryland I look. Take the snap quickly to catch base fronts before they can shift into a heavy blitz look, since this play has minimal time to develop reads. Pair it with PA Boot or PA FB Sail later in the game once the defense starts crashing hard on early down runs.
