Playbooks

HB Dive

Pistol·Spread·10
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This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Quick Reference

FormationPistol

In 1 playbook

Spread Classic

Breakdown

HB Dive out of Pistol Spread 10 personnel is a straight downhill run play designed to hit the A gap quickly before the defense can flow. The offensive line blocks a standard man or gap scheme up front, with the center and guards working double teams on the interior defensive linemen to create a vertical crease. This is a base run play with no play-action or RPO element, and the primary read progression is the playside A gap first, then the backside cutback lane if the defense over pursues or the linebackers flow hard to the play call side.

Defensive Reads

Identify pre snap if the defense is in a run blitz or all out A gap blitz look, since HB Dive can lose yardage against a hard interior blitz with no lead blocker. Watch the middle linebacker depth and flow, if he sits back reading run gaps for too long the dive hits fast before he can fill. Check for a bear front or 46 front with extra defenders stacked inside, since this alignment clogs the dive lane and forces a cutback that rarely gets home. Look for user controlled defenders spying the A gap or crashing down hard off the snap, this is the biggest threat to blow up the play behind the line. Zone coverage shells with light boxes such as a 3-4 base defense in Nickel or Dime personnel are the best matchup since fewer bodies are near the line to fill run gaps.

Usage Tips

Use HB Dive on early downs against defenses showing light boxes with only six or fewer defenders in the run fit to guarantee a positive gain.

Check the linebacker depth pre snap, if both linebackers are stacked tight to the line expecting run, consider audibling to a play action shot instead.

Pair HB Dive with Read Option and HB Counter from this same formation so the defense cannot key on one specific run action out of Pistol.

User the fullback or lead blocker if available and take control of the blocking assignment to seal off a slot corner or blitzing linebacker crashing the A gap.

Run this play in short yardage and goal line situations since the quick hitting nature limits negative play risk against gap exchange stunts.

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