Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
HB Dive out of Shotgun Normal Flex Wing is a straight downhill run play that sends the HB directly through the A gap behind the center and guards. The offensive line uses a standard drive blocking scheme, with the center and both guards climbing to the interior gaps while the tackles and TE handle the edges to seal off backside pursuit. This is a pure run play with no play-action or RPO element, designed to attack light interior boxes and pick up quick, positive yardage on early downs. The primary read progression starts with the A gap, then bounces to the nearest open crease if the interior is clogged.
Defensive Reads
Check the box count before the snap, a stacked box with linebackers inside five yards signals the defense is sitting on this run. Watch for a Mike linebacker cheating toward the A gap, which tells you the defense has scouted the dive and will fill fast. Cover 1 and Cover 3 with aggressive downhill linebackers shut this play down quickly because it removes the cutback lanes. This play beats zone shells like Cover 2 and Cover 4 that keep linebackers at depth, since it exploits the natural gap before defenders can react. Post-snap, watch for a user-controlled defender flying in from depth to fill the A gap, if you see that develop, cut the HB course to whichever guard is winning his block.
Usage Tips
Call HB Dive when the defense shows a light box (six or fewer defenders in the box) or a nickel/dime personnel grouping that signals pass coverage. Use pre-snap motion or a quick glance at linebacker depth to confirm they are not creeping up for a run blitz before the snap. Hot route the TE into a stalk block if you see an extra defender walked down near the edge to protect the dive lane. Mix this play in on early downs after showing PA Under or PA Dig from the same formation so the defense respects the play-action look and stays honest on run fits. Save HB Dive for short yardage or 1st and 10 situations where a clogged A gap still guarantees positive yardage against overpursuing linebackers.
