Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Inside out of Near Close Flex is a straightforward interior dive run with 21 personnel on the field, using two backs and a tight end to create extra gap support at the line. The diagram shows the ball carrier taking a direct hand off and hitting a downhill lane between the guards, with the fullback or lead blocker filling ahead to seal the first level defender. This is a pure gap scheme run play designed to attack light boxes, with the primary read being the initial daylight cut based on how the defensive tackles and Mike linebacker flow to the point of attack.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a stacked box with the Mike linebacker walked up pre-snap, that alignment signals a run blitz designed to blow up this dive before it develops. If the defense shows a 4-3 under front with both defensive tackles shaded to one gap, expect immediate penetration that can kill the play at the mesh point. Key the safety rotation after the snap, if a safety triggers downhill quickly instead of holding depth, this is a run fit defense that will not respect the fake and can flow to the ball fast. This run struggles against gap exchange or scrape exchange linebacker techniques, since those movements confuse the blocking scheme and clog the natural running lane. Look for nickel or dime packages on early downs, a lighter box due to extra DBs on the field usually means this dive can pick up consistent yardage against softer run support.
Usage Tips
Call this play when you see six or fewer defenders in the box, since the extra blocker from 21 personnel only wins if you have a numbers advantage at the point of attack.
Check safety depth before the snap, if both safeties are rolled deep in a two high shell the box should be light and this dive hits fast.
Use your fullback lead block manually if the CPU or your opponent stacks the middle linebacker over center, take control and adjust the kickout angle to create a cleaner crease.
Pair this with FB Dive and FB Dive Weak in the same set to keep defenders guessing on which gap you are attacking, then mix in HB Angle out of the backfield once the defense starts crashing down hard.
Best used on early downs, first and second and short to medium distance, where defenses are less likely to load up with extra DBs and nickel packages that thin out the box.
