Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Dive out of Pistol Strong Slot Close is a straight downhill run play that sends the HB directly through the A gap behind the fullback lead blocker, with the offensive line blocking a base man/down scheme up front. The two split WRs stay at their alignment and are not shown running routes, confirming this is a pure inside run concept rather than a play-action or RPO look. The primary read for the HB is to press the play side A gap and react off the fullback's lead block, bouncing outside if the interior gets clogged by an extra defender.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is in a 4-3 or 3-4 base front, since a 3-4 nose tackle sitting directly over center can clog the dive lane before the fullback even gets there. Watch linebacker depth, if the Mike and Will linebackers are stacked tight to the line of scrimmage they are likely reading run fast and will scrape hard to the play side A gap. This play struggles against a run blitz where both inside linebackers shoot the A and B gaps simultaneously, since there is no second lead blocker to handle both defenders. It beats light boxes and zone coverage shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4 where safeties are rotated deep and only five or six defenders are committed to the run fit. Post-snap, key the fullback's block, if he gets immediately stood up or driven backward by a defensive tackle penetrating the A gap, the dive will have nowhere to go and the HB needs to cut it back or bounce outside quickly.
Usage Tips
Use HB Dive on early downs when you need a quick, low risk gain to stay ahead of the chains and keep your play-action shots off Strong Power and PA Boot Lt believable later in the drive.
Check the box count before the snap, if the defense shows six or more defenders in the box or a linebacker walked down into the A gap, consider audibling to HB Stretch Alert Dragon or HB Counter to attack the edge instead.
Against teams that key run and fire off the snap, snap the ball on a slight rhythm delay to let your fullback get a clean track on the lead block before hitting the hole.
Pair HB Dive with WR Smash and Mills from the same set so defenses cannot sit on run tendencies out of this personnel grouping, keeping linebackers honest and slowing down A gap blitzes.
In short yardage or goal line situations this play is ideal because the fullback lead block gives the HB a natural push through the interior, so save it for third and short or first and goal from close range.
