Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Dive out of Pistol Trips Open is a straight downhill run play with the HB lined up behind the QB and three receivers bunched to the right in a trips open look. The offensive line blocks a standard interior gap scheme, with the fullback-less 10 personnel relying on the line to seal the middle rather than a lead blocker. The HB takes the handoff and reads the initial hole between the guards, with the primary read progressing from the A-gap to the nearest open crease if the middle is clogged.
Defensive Reads
Key the Mike linebacker pre-snap: if he is sitting in the A-gap or shows blitz, this play gets stuffed quickly since there is no fullback to seal him. Watch for a stacked 3-4 front with both inside linebackers reading run keys immediately off the snap, since gap discipline shuts this play down before it develops. If the defense is in man coverage with the slot corner following the trips bunch across the formation, the box numbers favor the run so expect the dive to hit for positive yardage. Look for run blitzes or contain calls that send extra defenders inside, since the lack of a lead blocker means the dive has no answer for immediate interior pressure. Post-snap, track any user-controlled defender flowing downhill from depth, since a spy or robber defender reading the mesh point can close the dive lane before the back reaches the line.
Usage Tips
Run this play on early downs when the defense shows a light box, especially against 2 high safety shells that signal only five or six defenders in the run fit.
Check the Mike linebacker depth pre-snap: if he is stacked tight behind the nose or 3-technique, expect a quick fill and consider audibling to HB Slip Screen or HB Slam instead.
Since the trips open bunch pulls attention to the passing strength, defenses often rotate a safety or slot corner down, creating an numbers advantage on the backside A-gap for this dive.
Pair HB Dive with PA Deep In or Levels Switch from the same set so the run action sets up the play-action shot off identical formation and personnel, keeping linebackers honest.
Use this play in short yardage and 2nd or 3rd and short situations where a hard-charging front is more likely to overrun the play, since the dive hits fast and does not need much space.
