Playbooks
Breakdown
HB Mid Draw out of Shotgun Bunch is a designed delayed handoff run play built to punish aggressive pass rushers and blitz-heavy defenses. The diagram shows the bunch trio (TE and two WRs stacked tight) releasing vertically to sell pass, drawing linebacker and safety eyes upfield while the offensive line initially shows pass protection before engaging run blocks at the second level. The HB sits in shotgun, takes the delayed handoff, and reads the interior of the box, hitting the A or B gap once the front collapses upfield chasing the play-action look. Primary read progression is patience first: let the line climb to the second level, then attack the first crease that opens between the guards or off tackle.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check linebacker depth: if the Mike and Will are sitting shallow near the LOS anticipating a blitz, this draw hits hard once they crash upfield. Watch the bunch alignment for safety rotation, if both safeties bail into deep zone coverage pre-snap that confirms the defense expects pass and the box is vulnerable to the delayed run. Post-snap, key the defensive tackles, if they get up the field hard on a stunt or twist the natural cutback lane opens for the HB. User linebackers should stay disciplined and read the offensive line pass sets, do not bite on the pass-blocking mesh, instead squeeze the running lane immediately. This play struggles against a spy or a linebacker staying home to read the backfield, so if the defense flashes a run blitz or has a defender assigned to sit in the draw lane, expect minimal gains.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or in 2nd and short to keep defenses honest after establishing pass tendencies from Shotgun Bunch formation.
Use this play specifically against defenses showing blitz packages or aggressive DL stunts since the delayed action exploits penetration and overpursuit.
Do not user the HB immediately off the snap, let the blocking develop for a full second so the second level defenders clear out of the running lanes.
Pair this with Bunch Verts or Bunch Sail earlier in a drive to set up run tendencies off play-action shells, then hit HB Mid Draw when linebackers start sitting on shallow pass concepts.
Avoid calling this against disciplined zone defenses that keep linebackers home, since the draw loses value when the front does not bite on the pass-first look.
