Playbooks
Likely unavailable in the playbook builder
Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
Mtn HB Dive is a downhill run play out of Shotgun Double Wing with a 23 personnel grouping, and the diagram shows pre-snap motion across the formation before the snap to shift numbers toward the play side. The offensive line shows a straight-ahead blocking scheme with the interior linemen climbing to the second level, while the halfback takes a quick handoff and hits the A-gap immediately behind the center. This is a pure run play designed to attack the middle of the defense before linebackers can fill their gaps, with the primary read being the play side A-gap first and a bounce to the nearest open crease if that lane is clogged.
Defensive Reads
Watch the linebacker depth before the snap, since stacked linebackers sitting tight to the line are the biggest threat to blow up this play in the backfield. Man coverage that follows the motion man usually leaves light boxes, which is ideal for hitting the A-gap untouched. A 4-3 or 46 front with gap-sound defensive tackles can clog the dive lane, so be ready to bounce outside if the interior blockers get stood up. Watch for a user-controlled defender flowing down hard on motion, since that often signals an aggressive downhill blitz that can be countered by getting the ball out fast before the fill arrives. Zone defenses with linebackers reading the mesh point are the toughest matchup for this play since they can fill gaps without biting on motion.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to identify if the defense is running with the man in motion, which tells you if you are facing man coverage or a zone shell that stays put. This play hits fastest of any run in the Mtn package, so call it on short yardage or 3rd and 1 situations where you need a quick, decisive gain. Pair Mtn HB Dive with Mtn Inside Zone and Mtn Counter in the same game plan so defenders cannot sit on one gap, since all three punish downhill fills differently. If the defense shows a heavy box with linebackers crashing downhill immediately after the snap, get out of this play at the line and audible to Mtn PA Slide or Mesh Sit to catch them cheating. Snap the ball quickly after motion settles to prevent the defense from adjusting their front and diagnosing the dive gap.
