Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Power O out of the Maryland I formation in the Tight Close set is a classic gap scheme run play built for downhill power football. The diagram shows the fullback leading through the hole with a puller coming across the formation to kick out the edge defender, while the HB takes a slight aiming point toward the strong side before pressing the hole created by the pulling guard. This is a run play designed to move defenders vertically with double team blocks at the point of attack, and it is not a man or zone beater since there is no route concept involved, just a downhill power run with a lead blocker.
Defensive Reads
Watch for stacked linebackers showing blitz just before the snap, since Power O struggles against a hard A gap blitz that beats the puller to the hole. Identify if the defense is in a 4-3 under or 3-4 look, as extra bodies in the box on the play side can clog the kickout lane and force a cutback. Key the strong safety depth, if he is sitting close to the line at 5 yards or less he is likely a run blitzer and will crash the alley before the puller arrives. Look for defensive ends squeezing hard down the line pre-snap, that indicates a scrape exchange call meant to spill the play outside where extra defenders are waiting. Post-snap, track the play side linebacker's first step, if he shoots the gap immediately instead of reading the puller, the defense is running a fire zone or blitz designed specifically to stop gap schemes like this.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs like 1st and 10 or 2nd and short to keep defenses honest and set up your play-action shots later in the drive.
Check the box count before the snap, if the defense has six or more in the box, consider hitting a play-action pass like PA Power O instead to punish the aggression.
User the fullback and manually guide him into the kickout block if the defense shows a hard edge blitz, this lets you seal the alley for the HB.
Pair this with FB Dive and HB Blast from the same set so the defense cannot key on one gap, keeping linebackers frozen on the mesh point.
Against heavy shade or bear fronts, avoid forcing this play into the strong side gap since the double team can get overwhelmed, cut it back if the backside is soft.
