Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
FB Dive out of Near Y Left Slot is a straight downhill run play that hands the ball to the fullback through the direct middle of the formation. The diagram shows the offensive line blocking straight ahead at the point of attack with the fullback taking the handoff and driving north-south through the A gap, while the halfback and other skill players run off screen without pass routes shown. This is a pure gap run play designed to attack undisciplined fronts and light boxes, not a play-action or RPO concept, so the primary read is simply hitting the hole as it opens based on the initial surge from the interior offensive line.
Defensive Reads
Watch for defensive tackles shooting gaps pre-snap, since this play has no lead blocker to clean up penetration and will die quickly against a well timed A gap blitz. Check linebacker depth before the snap, if the middle linebacker is stacked tight behind the nose tackle he can beat the fullback to the hole and blow this up for a loss. Identify base fronts like 4-3 or 3-4 without extra run support in the box, these give the dive its best angle to pick up positive yardage before the second level arrives. Look for user controlled defenders spying the middle of the field, since a heads up user linebacker can jump the dive read almost every time if the offense overuses this call. Beware of run blitzes and nano blitz packages that send both inside linebackers through the interior gaps simultaneously, this defeats the single gap blocking scheme instantly.
Usage Tips
Use FB Dive on early downs or short yardage situations like third and one or fourth and one where you need a quick, low risk gain.
Check the box count pre-snap and only call this against six or fewer defenders in the box, since stacked fronts with extra linebackers will clog the dive lane immediately.
Pair this with FB Dive Weak in the same set to keep defenders honest, since both hit downhill but attack different gaps, forcing linebackers to respect both sides.
Mix in Slants or Curl Flat from this set after a couple of successful dive runs to punish linebackers who start creeping up to sell out against the run.
Snap the ball quickly after your presnap read to avoid giving the defense time to shift into a heavier front or send extra run blitzers into the box.
