Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Pin Pull Toss out of Shotgun Bunch Str Nasty is a pin and pull power run play that tosses the ball to the HB and lets him work behind pulling linemen to the play side edge. The diagram shows the offensive line pinning down inside while blockers pull around the edge to lead the HB, with the backfield arrow showing the toss action and the ball carrier attacking the perimeter. This is strictly a run play with no route concept, and the primary read progression for the HB is to key the pulling guard, press the hole, and decide whether to bounce outside or cut back based on how the edge defender and second level flow to the ball.
Defensive Reads
Watch for defensive ends that squeeze down hard on the snap, since that opens the alley for the pulling blockers to seal and create a running lane. Identify if the defense is in a run heavy front with linebackers stacked tight to the box, as fast flowing linebackers can beat the pullers to the point of attack and blow this up. Key the play side outside linebacker or slot corner in Bunch alignment, if they crash down quickly the HB should bounce it outside off the edge blocks. User controlled defenders shooting gaps or spying the backfield pre snap can disrupt the pulling linemen before they reach their landmarks, so watch for a spy or blitz look. Defenses in fast flow zone coverage with linebackers flowing hard to the ball can string this play out, so look for cutback lanes if the interior gets muddy.
Usage Tips
Use this play against defenses that show light boxes or numbers advantage to the play side since the pulling linemen need room to work in space.
Check the alignment of the play side defensive end and outside linebacker pre snap, if they are crashing hard inside this toss has a clean lane to the sideline.
Pair Pin Pull Toss with Inside Zone and Cheat Inside Zone from the same set so defenses cannot key run direction based on formation tendencies.
Run this on early downs like first and ten or second and short to stay ahead of the chains and keep defenses honest against your pass heavy Bunch Str Nasty concepts.
Mix in Corndog Toss and Crack Toss as complementary toss variations to keep the defense guessing on blocking angles and edge leverage.
