Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Draw out of Shotgun Normal Flex Snug is a designed delayed run that shows pass first to bait the pass rush before handing off to the RB. Both outside receivers release vertically upfield on go routes to hold the corners deep while the slot receiver runs a short pivot/hitch to occupy underneath defenders, and the offensive line sets up in a pass protection look before climbing to the second level to seal off linebackers. The primary read is patience: let the draw develop, watch the defensive line commit upfield off the fake pass set, then follow the blocking up the middle or bounce to whichever side the linebackers overcommit away from.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing blitz or an aggressive four man rush, since this draw is designed to exploit upfield rushers. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they bite hard on the pass fake and flow toward the perimeter routes, the draw lane up the middle opens immediately. Man coverage on the outside receivers running vertical routes pulls corners away from the box, reducing support defenders against the run. Zone shells with linebackers sitting short and reading the backfield will diagnose the draw quickly and string it out for a minimal gain or loss. User controlled defenders spying the quarterback or sitting in a lurk technique in the middle of the field are the biggest threat to this play, since they can jump the draw before the blocking gets set.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs like 1st and 10 or 2nd and medium when defenses are keying pass due to the Shotgun 11 personnel look. Pre-snap, check for aggressive defensive ends or edge rushers who crash hard off the snap, since this play punishes upfield pass rush lanes. If the defense shows a heavy blitz look pre-snap, this can be a great answer because blitzing linebackers vacate the box and create running lanes. Pair this with Inside Zone and RPO Gt Read Screen in the same set to keep the defense guessing between draw, zone run, and quick screen out of an identical shotgun alignment. Avoid calling it against defenses sitting in a two deep shell with linebackers staying home, since disciplined LBs reading run will sit and clog the draw lane.
