Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Base is a straightforward interior run play out of the Bunch Offset Close set in Shotgun 11 personnel. The offensive line down blocks in a standard dive scheme while the HB takes the handoff and reads the natural running lane between the guards, with the lone WR on the backside running a vertical route to hold the deep defender and prevent run support from that side. This is a pure run play with no play-action or RPO elements, and the primary read progression is the HB identifying the first crease off the double team up front before working to the second level defenders.
Defensive Reads
Watch the linebacker depth pre snap: stacked linebackers sitting tight to the line signal a run blitz that can blow up this dive quickly. Identify whether the defense is in a one high or two high safety shell, since two high shells with light boxes are the ideal matchup for HB Base to hit the interior lane cleanly. Key the defensive tackles post snap for any A gap or B gap penetration, as this play relies on the double team up front to create a clean crease. Beware of user controlled defenders spying the mesh point, since a good user linebacker can shoot the gap and stop this play for a loss before the HB can read the hole. Zone blitz packages that bring an extra man through the interior gaps while dropping a lineman are the most dangerous defensive counter to this concept.
Usage Tips
Run this play on early downs, specifically first and ten or second and short, to keep the defense honest against your bunch formation passing concepts. Check the box count pre snap: if the defense has six or more defenders in the box, consider audibling to a pass concept from this set like Y Trail or SFT Bounce Zone Wk instead. Use the backside vertical route as a hot route trigger if you see single high coverage rotating late, since it can turn into a big play against a blown assignment. Pair this run with PA X Whip Crosser or SFT Bounce PA Double Post later in the drive to punish defenses that start selling hard against the run after seeing HB Base multiple times. Mix in Duo from this same set to keep defenders guessing between gap schemes and this more direct dive concept.
