Playbooks
Likely unavailable in the playbook builder
Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
Y-Off Power Read is a shotgun run play out of the Gadget Package that reads a designed power scheme with a read element built in for the ball carrier. The diagram shows the offensive line pulling to the play side with a lead blocker sealing the edge, while the yellow arrow shows the running back initial aiming point before he presses the hole and reads the block, and the red arrow shows the cutback lane if the play side gets clogged. This is a run play, not a play-action or RPO look, and the primary read progression is the running back keying the down block and puller off the edge, deciding to bend it back inside if the defensive end squeezes down.
Defensive Reads
Watch for linebacker depth at the snap, if the play side linebacker is sitting tight to the line he is likely keying run and will fill the power lane fast. Identify the defensive end alignment, a wide nine technique invites the cutback read while a tighter end forces the runner to commit outside the puller. Look for safety rotation pre snap, if a safety cheats down into the box before the snap that is a run blitz key and you should expect an extra defender in the hole. User controlled defenders flashing down into the backfield are the biggest threat to this play, since a smart user can jump the pulling lineman and blow up the play side gap. This run gets shut down by stacked fronts with heavy run blitz packages, but it thrives against light boxes where the defense has backed off to cover shotgun spread run action.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs like first and ten or second and short when defenses are still respecting balanced run and pass looks out of shotgun. Check the box count pre snap, if the defense has six or more in the box you want to bounce this outside off the puller rather than force it inside. Motion the Y off receiver before the snap to get a free access read on whether the defense is in man or zone, this helps you anticipate if a slot corner or linebacker will crash down on the run fit. Pair this with Read Option and Outside Zone from the same Gadget Package set to keep defenders honest on backside pursuit, since all three plays share similar shotgun run action but attack different gaps. If you get a favorable numbers advantage to the play side, take the manual control of your lead blocker to smash the first defender in the alley instead of letting the AI engage.
