Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Strong Power is a downhill gap run out of Pistol Strong Slot Close with 21 personnel, designed to overload the strong side with double TE/FB style blocking even though it is listed as 2 RB 1 TE. The play art shows the HB taking a lead path behind a lead blocker who kicks out the edge defender, with the line blocking down and pulling to seal the point of attack for a strong side power run. This is a run play, not a pass concept, so there are no route combos to beat man or zone, the primary read is the play side double team and kick block, then track the pulling blocker to find the crease.
Defensive Reads
Watch for stacked linebackers or a walked up safety in the box pre-snap, which signals a run blitz designed to beat gap schemes like this one. If the strong side defensive end squeezes hard down the line instead of respecting the kick block, that is a sign of a scrape exchange or contain technique meant to string the play out. Post-snap, track whether the play side linebacker fills fast or sits and reads, since fast flow linebackers can blow up the pulling blocker before the crease develops. Man coverage shells with off ball linebackers tend to leave light boxes, making this a good called run against Cover 1 or Cover 2 man looks. Heavy zone shells like Cover 3 with a robber or a nano blitz package stacking the strong side A and B gaps will shut this run down quickly, so have a check play ready.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and only run Strong Power into light boxes with six or fewer defenders in the tackle to tackle area.
Identify if the defense is in a 4-3 under or 3-4 look, since the extra gap created by the lead blocker is most effective against odd fronts that leave a natural bubble on the play side.
Use pre-snap motion or an audible to a passing concept like Mills or PA Deep In if the defense shows heavy run blitz alignment with linebackers stacked on the line.
Pair Strong Power with HB Dive and HB Counter in the same drive to keep linebackers guessing on run direction, since all three hit different gaps off similar Pistol alignment.
Vary tempo by mixing in PA Boot Lt after establishing Strong Power early in a series, since the play action look off this run keys off the same strong side action and freezes second level defenders.
