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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
QB Blast is a designed QB run out of Shotgun Double Wing with 23 personnel, putting extra blockers on the field to create a heavy run look. The diagram shows the QB taking the snap and hitting straight downhill through the A gap behind the center, with the offensive line executing a power/blast blocking scheme to seal off interior gaps. This is a pure designed run play with no route concepts or pass options attached, built to punish light boxes and overly aggressive linebacker flow with a north-south hit for the QB himself.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a stacked box with eight or more defenders near the line, since heavy fronts designed to stop the run can beat QB Blast before the blockers get set. Man coverage on the perimeter does not matter much here since there are no routes, so focus purely on gap discipline and linebacker fits. If the defense shows a run blitz with linebackers crashing hard into the A and B gaps pre-snap, this play can be neutralized quickly since there is no cutback or RPO option to counter it. User-controlled defenders spying the QB or sitting in the box are the biggest threat since QB Blast has no misdirection to shake a disciplined spy. Look for base 4-3 or 3-4 fronts with linebackers reading run rather than blitzing, since that is when the blast blocking scheme has the best angles to open a lane.
Usage Tips
Use this play when the defense shows a light box or single high safety, since the extra blockers in 23 personnel are meant to overpower base fronts. Check the pre-snap alignment of the middle linebacker, if he is stacked tight behind the line it signals a run blitz that can actually help you since your blockers are sealing straight ahead. Keep this play unpredictable by pairing it with Mtn HB Dive and Mtn Inside Zone from the same set so defenders cannot key on QB run tendencies just from formation recognition. Best used on short yardage or goal line situations, third and one or fourth and one, where the downhill design and extra blocking gets tough yards. Mix in QB Power afterward to keep linebackers guessing between the blast hit and the power sweep look, both hitting different depths but from the same personnel and formation.
