Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn Power O is a run play out of the Pistol Full House TE formation with 22 personnel, built around a man motion tag that shifts a fullback or H-back across the backfield before the snap to adjust the box count. The blocking scheme pulls a guard to lead through the hole while the offensive line uses down blocks and combo blocks to seal the point of attack, with the diagram showing the pulling lineman climbing to the second level as the running back's path bends downhill behind him. This is a gap scheme run play, not a play-action or RPO, and the primary read is the running back tracking the pulling guard's block to decide whether to hit the hole inside or bounce it outside based on the first unblocked defender.
Defensive Reads
Watch for linebackers who flow hard downhill immediately after the snap since Power O counts on the pulling guard clearing that gap, and a fast flowing linebacker can beat the puller to the hole. Check safety depth before the snap. A single high safety cheating toward the box signals run support and can jump the pulling guard's lane if he reads it early. Look for defensive ends and outside linebackers crashing hard inside on the snap, which forces the running back to bounce the run outside the pulling guard rather than following him through the designated gap. Man coverage that trails the pre-snap motion man usually leaves the box light, making this an efficient run call, while zone shells that stay disciplined and keep linebackers square tend to fill gaps faster. Watch for a run blitz or nano blitz look with a linebacker cheating into the A or B gap pre-snap, since that defender can beat the double team and blow up the play before the puller arrives.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to identify if the defense is running with the man across the formation, since a linebacker or safety following the motion confirms man coverage and tells you the run fits will shift with them.
Check the alignment of the defensive line before the snap. If you see a wide 9-technique or heavy edge crash, expect the pulling guard to have a shorter path to the second level and the ball can bounce outside quicker.
Run this on early downs like first and second and short to medium yardage situations where defenses are more likely to sit in base fronts instead of nickel or dime packages that remove size from the box.
Pair Mtn Power O with Mtn PA Power Cross and PA Comeback from the same set so the defense has to respect the run action before you hit them with play-action shots off similar formation motion.
Use the manual lead blocker with the pulling guard to knock off any second level defender who reads the play too fast, especially against user linebackers who key the mesh point.
