Playbooks
Quick Reference
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Breakdown
HB Power O out of the Pistol Weak I Wing set is a gap scheme run play designed to pull the backside guard and kick out the point of attack with the fullback and wing tight end. The diagram shows the offensive line blocking down while the puller wraps to the play side, with the HB taking a slight lead step before pressing downhill off the double team at the point of attack. This is a run play, not a man or zone beater in the passing sense, and the primary read progression is backside A gap to playside B gap, reading the puller's kick out block before bouncing outside if the edge is sealed.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, count the box defenders and check linebacker depth, a walked up strong safety or extra linebacker signals run support and can clog the playside B gap. Watch for a 3-4 or 46 front with the defensive end crashing hard down the line, this can beat the puller before he reaches the point of attack and blow up the play in the backfield. Post-snap, key the playside linebacker's fill technique, if he scrapes over the top quickly he can meet the puller and force the HB to cut back against the grain. User-controlled defenders flowing hard downhill from depth can jump the pulling guard's path, so be ready to bounce the run outside if the lead blockers get beat. Man coverage shells with off corners and a single high safety tend to leave light boxes, which is when this Power O concept hits hardest for chunk yardage.
Usage Tips
Run this play when the defense shows a light box with six or fewer defenders, since the extra blockers in Weak I Wing give you a numbers advantage at the point of attack.
Check the pre-snap alignment of the strong safety, if he is stacked in the box you may want to check to a passing play like X Slant or PA Power O instead.
Use the fullback and wing TE as your visual key, follow their kick out and lead blocks rather than the offensive line since gap schemes develop late.
Pair this with PA Power O and Counter Weak in your play-calling sequence to keep linebackers honest on the backside flow and freeze them just long enough for the puller to get a clean kick out.
This play hits best on early downs, first and ten or second and short, when defenses are more likely to play base personnel instead of stacking the box for run support.
