Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Inside out of the Close Near 21 personnel package is a pure interior run play that sends the halfback directly downhill through the middle of the formation with the fullback leading through the hole. The offensive line executes a down block scheme, sealing gaps to create a north south running lane between the guards, while the second running back or fullback isolates on the first linebacker that shows in the box. There is no route concept shown here since this is strictly a run play, and the primary read is the fullback lead blocker, hitting the crease he opens rather than a predetermined gap.
Defensive Reads
Watch the middle linebacker depth pre-snap, if he is playing downhill at five yards or closer he is likely a run blitz threat that can beat this play to the hole. Key the fullback as soon as the ball is snapped, user controlling the defender assigned to the lead blocker and shedding him is the fastest way to blow up this run. Stacked fronts with a defensive tackle in a zero or one technique clog the interior lanes this play relies on, making it far less effective against heavy run fronts. Nano blitz packages that send an extra defender through the A or B gap unblocked will beat HB Inside before the fullback can get to his landmark. Look for safeties creeping down into the box pre-snap, an eighth man in the box against 21 personnel signals the defense is sitting on this exact inside run concept.
Usage Tips
Use HB Inside on early downs against base 4-3 and 3-4 fronts where the middle linebacker is showing run support depth instead of blitzing.
Check the box count pre-snap, if the defense has six or fewer defenders in the box this play has a numbers advantage and should hit for positive yardage.
Pair HB Inside with FB Dive in the same set so defenses cannot key on formation tendencies, alternating between the two keeps linebackers guessing on gap responsibility.
Mix in Post Drag and Spacing from this same Close Near set to keep defenses honest against the run and prevent them from stacking the box on early downs.
Trust the fullback lead block and press the hole rather than bouncing outside, this play is designed to be physical between the tackles and lateral hesitation kills the blocking scheme.
