Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
HB Dive out of Pistol Wing Slot is a straight downhill run play with the HB lined up directly behind the QB in pistol alignment. The offensive line blocks straight ahead with a hard interior push, aiming to create a vertical crease between the guards and center, while the two TEs and wing align to the strong side to help seal the edge if the run bounces. This is a pure run play designed to attack an undermanned box and get north-south yards in a hurry, with the primary read being the initial gap at the point of attack before the HB reads block leverage from the interior linemen and decides whether to stick the dive lane or bounce off the double team.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a stacked box with eight or more defenders since that alignment is designed to blow this play up before the HB reaches the line of scrimmage. Key the middle linebacker depth pre-snap, if he is sitting shallow and square he is likely reading run and will fill the dive lane immediately. User the defensive tackle or middle linebacker directly to shoot the gap and disrupt the interior double team before it forms. Look for a nano blitz or A gap blitz package which completely erases the vertical crease this play relies on. Post-snap, track whether the interior line gets immediate movement, if the double team stalls at the line of scrimmage the dive has no room and will get stuffed for minimal or negative yards.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and only call HB Dive when you see six or fewer defenders in the box since this play has no cutback design built in for heavy fronts.
Use this as a tempo-control play on early downs to keep defenses honest and set up your play-action shots out of the same Pistol Wing Slot personnel.
Pair HB Dive with PA Boot Lt or PA Ctr Waggle from the same formation so linebackers keep respecting the run fake and bite on the play-action rollout.
Mix in HB Slam and Strong Power in the same series to vary your blocking angles and keep defenders guessing on gap responsibility.
Avoid calling this on third and long since the low ceiling on this play makes it a low value conversion tool in that situation.
