Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Dive out of Pistol Spread 10 personnel is a straight downhill run play with the HB lined up directly behind the QB in the pistol. The diagram shows all five receivers running vertical stem routes to clear out the second and third level defenders, while the offensive line blocks straight ahead for a north south dive between the tackles. This is a pure run play, not a play action or RPO look based on the art, and the primary read is the HB hitting the A or B gap based on the initial push from the interior line, reading the mike linebacker's fill and cutting off the first color he sees on the line of scrimmage.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing a two high shell or single high safety, single high alignments often mean an extra run defender is creeping down near the box. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, linebackers sitting shallow and downhill immediately are keying run and will fill the dive lanes fast, forcing a cutback read. This play struggles against gap sound fronts and interior blitzes like a straight mike or nose shoot blitz since there is no lead blocker to absorb penetration. It performs well against defenses in nickel or dime packages that are playing off coverage to respect the four verticals look, since those fronts often have lighter boxes. Post-snap, track the play side defensive tackle and mike linebacker, if either shoots a gap untouched the HB needs to bounce or cut back immediately rather than trying to force it between the tackles.
Usage Tips
Call this play on early downs like first and ten or second and short to stay ahead of the chains and keep the defense honest against your pass heavy Spread Pistol package.
Check the box count before the snap, if you see six or more defenders stacked in the box, consider audibling to a perimeter run or a quick pass instead of forcing the dive into a loaded front.
Use the five vertical releases as a disguise, this look shares the same initial picture as Four Verticals and PA Deep In, so mixing HB Dive with those plays keeps linebackers and safeties honest and slows down run blitz triggers.
On the stick, user the HB and press the hole indicator or manually pick your gap based on leverage, patience beats speed on this play since the blocking needs a beat to develop.
Pair this play with HB Counter and HB Draw in the same drive to keep defenders guessing on gap direction while still selling the same personnel and formation look.
