Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
FB Dive Weak from Y Left Slot in the Near formation hands the ball to the fullback lined up behind the QB, sending him straight through the weak side A gap. The offensive line blocks straight ahead with the fullback reading the interior gap that opens up between the center and weak guard, while the TE and other backfield players stay in to block or run their assignment away from the play. This is a downhill, north south run play designed to punish light boxes and overaggressive linebacker flow, with the primary read being the weak side A gap first and a quick bounce to the B gap if the nose or guard clogs the initial lane.
Defensive Reads
Check the box count before the snap. Anything more than six defenders in the box is a red flag for calling this dive. Watch the defensive tackle and nose alignment. A 1 tech or 0 tech shaded toward the weak side A gap can blow this play up before it develops. Key the Mike linebacker's depth and lean. If he is stacked tight behind the line and reading run fast, he can fill the dive lane immediately. This run struggles against gap control defenses and stacked run fronts designed to plug interior gaps, since there is no misdirection or edge threat to hold defenders honest. It hits well against base 4-3 or 3-4 looks with linebackers flowing laterally or biting on outside run fakes, since the interior lane stays clean longer.
Usage Tips
Use this play when you see six or fewer defenders in the box, since the fullback dive relies on numbers advantage up front.
Check pre-snap for linebacker depth. If the Mike and Will are sitting shallow or crashing down on run fits, this play will hit fast before they can flow.
Run this on early downs, especially first and second and short, to keep defenses honest and set up your play-action shots later in the drive.
Pair this with 0 1 Trap and HB Inside from the same set to keep defenders guessing on interior run fits, then hit them with PA Read Special or Rollout Smash once they start selling hard on the dive.
Avoid calling this against heavy blitz packages or stacked fronts with extra defenders in the box, since there is no lead blocker to handle an unblocked rusher.
