Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Double Iso is a straight downhill run play out of the Pistol Full House Base set with 21 personnel, using both the fullback and an additional lead blocker from the backfield to iso block for the running back through the interior gaps. The offensive line blocks down with double team fits at the point of attack while the two lead blockers isolate and lock onto the first defenders in the box, clearing a running lane up the middle. This is a power run play designed to beat base fronts and light boxes, with the primary read being the frontside gap first and a quick bounce to the backside cutback lane if the linebackers flow too fast.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, count the box and identify if the defense is in a base 4-3 or 3-4 look with only two or three down linemen, since light boxes are what this play attacks. Watch linebacker depth: if both backers are sitting shallow and square to the line, they are keying run and will likely flow hard to the iso blockers. Post-snap, key the alpha defender: if he stays home and reads the double iso action instead of biting on the fullback fake, the cutback lane disappears. Look for a user-controlled linebacker sitting in the A or B gap pre-snap, since that indicates a defender is spying the interior run and will blow up both blockers. Against stacked fronts or run blitzes with extra defenders crashing the line, this play stalls quickly and should be abandoned for a play-action or perimeter run instead.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and only run this against six or fewer defenders in the box for the best blocking math.
Use pre-snap motion or a quick audible check if you see an extra defender walked down into the box, since Double Iso has no answer for a stacked front.
Manually control your lead blocker at the snap so you can pick off the first unblocked linebacker instead of letting the CPU logic whiff on the assignment.
Pair this with HB Slam or Wing HB Dive earlier in a series so the defense commits to stopping the quick hitter, then hit Double Iso for the bigger downhill gain.
Best used on early downs (first or second and short to medium) when you want to establish tempo and set up boot action or play action off the same look.
