Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Mid Draw out of Shotgun Doubles Flex 11 personnel shows a delayed handoff look with the offensive line initially sliding into pass protection before opening running lanes through the interior gaps. The four wide receivers and TE run off with vertical or hitch stems to hold linebackers and safeties at depth, buying time for the offensive line to climb to the second level. This is a pure run play designed to punish aggressive pass rush and blitz tendencies, with the primary read being the frontside A or B gap combo block before working to the backside cutback lane if the flow overcommits.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check linebacker depth immediately since anything under five yards signals they are sitting on the draw or a quick blitz that will blow this play up before the back can build momentum. Identify if the defensive ends are reading run instead of rushing the passer, as disciplined edge defenders who stay home take away the delayed timing this concept relies on. Watch for a user-controlled middle linebacker spying the backfield instead of dropping into coverage, since that defender can key the mesh point and close the cutback lane. This play is most vulnerable to A gap blitzes and delayed interior pressure that beats the offensive line before they can climb to the second level. Man coverage with linebackers in man match on the RB is the biggest killer here, since it puts a defender directly in the draw lane with eyes in the backfield from snap one.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or in obvious passing situations like second and long to exploit defenses that are keying pass rush lanes or dropping into deep zone coverage. Pre-snap, look for defensive ends and outside linebackers showing edge rush alignment or wide nine techniques since the draw is designed to let them fly upfield past the mesh point. If the defense shows a heavy blitz package with linebackers crashing downhill immediately, consider hot routing your slot receiver into a quick option route as an outlet instead of committing to the draw. Sequence this play after calling Four Verticals or PA Dagger from the same Doubles Flex set so the defense respects the pass shell and stacks the box lighter, setting up the draw as a change of pace. Avoid calling this into stacked fronts with linebackers sitting shallow at five yards or less since there is no time for blockers to climb and seal the alley.
