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Breakdown
Strong Power out of Pistol Y Trips is a gap scheme run play designed to attack the strong side with a lead blocker leading through the hole. The diagram shows the offensive line blocking down while a fullback or lead blocker kicks out the edge defender, creating a run lane for the HB behind the pulling guard. This is a run play built to overpower the box, not a man or zone beater, and the primary read progression starts with the play side double team and the kick out block, then bends to the backside cutback lane if the alley is clogged.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a stacked strong side linebacker at the snap since he can blow up the kick out block and force a negative play. Identify whether the defense is in a run blitz look with linebackers crashing downhill, this play struggles against gap exchange stunts and blitzes that shoot the play side gap early. Check safety depth before the snap, a safety cheating down into the box signals run support and can jump the lead blocker. Post-snap, key the defensive end and outside linebacker to see if they squeeze down or widen, since that dictates whether the ball should stay inside or bounce outside. This run is countered hardest by aggressive edge defenders who stay disciplined and do not overpursue the pulling blocker.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and only run this into light boxes with six or fewer defenders in the tackle to tackle area.
Look for the strong side linebacker depth, if he is stacked tight to the line the kick out block will be harder to spring so consider bouncing outside.
Pair this with HB Slam or HB Dive from the same set to keep the defense honest on quick hitting runs before hitting them with the slower developing power look.
Use PA Ctr Waggle or PA Read out of the same personnel to punish linebackers who start flowing hard to the play side on early down power runs.
Best called on first and second down in run heavy personnel packages when you have identified man or base fronts pre-snap.
