Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
QB Blast is a designed QB run out of Shotgun 5WR Trips with 00 personnel, meaning there is no running back in the backfield and the QB is the sole ball carrier. The offensive line down blocks toward the play side while the five wide receivers release vertically to occupy defenders and clear the box, effectively using route stems as blocking leverage rather than actual pass concepts. This is a run play designed to attack light boxes and exploit defenses that spread out in coverage looks, with the primary "read" being the QB identifying the alley created by the line surge and cutting behind the designed blast lane.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and box count: if the defense has rotated to a one-high shell with extra defenders in the box, this run is far less effective and should be avoided. Key on linebacker depth at the snap, since shallow linebackers who crash down immediately can blow up the blast lane before the QB gets to the second level. User a linebacker or slot defender and spy the quarterback rather than dropping into coverage, since QB Blast has no answer for a spy who reads run action instantly. Watch for aggressive edge defenders crashing inside, as this can actually open a bigger running lane if the interior blockers seal correctly, so contain discipline matters. Zone blitzes and fire zone calls that bring an extra rusher off the edge while dropping linemen into coverage can catch the QB off guard since he has no blocker to account for the free rusher.
Usage Tips
Call this out of empty personnel when the defense shows two high safeties and light box counts of five or fewer defenders, since there is no threat of a handoff to hold linebackers.
Use pre-snap motion or an audible check to bait linebackers into blitz or coverage rotation, then snap it quickly to attack before the second level can fill gaps.
Pair QB Blast with QB Draw from the same set so defenses cannot key on run gap tendencies, alternating between the two to keep linebackers guessing on run fits.
Mix in Slants or Stick from this set on early downs to get defenders leaning pass heavy, then dial up QB Blast on 2nd or 3rd and short to catch light boxes off guard.
Avoid calling this against defenses stacked with extra linebackers or if the CPU shows a run blitz look, since there is no lead blocker to handle an unblocked defender.
