Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Base is a shotgun dive run out of the Normal Off Close Wk set with 11 personnel, showing the HB taking the handoff and hitting the hole downhill behind the interior blocking surge. The offensive line blocks straight ahead with the fullback-less scheme relying on the guards and center to seal gaps, while the diagram shows the back cutting slightly right off the mesh point. This is a north-south run play designed to move the chains with a downhill, one-cut approach rather than a zone-read or misdirection concept. Primary read progression for the runner is straight ahead first, then bounce outside off the initial hole based on the first level blitz fits.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, count the box defenders and check linebacker depth since stacked fronts with linebackers crashing downhill will clog this dive quickly. Watch for safety rotation into the box before the snap, as an eighth defender creeping down signals a run blitz that this play cannot handle without a cutback lane. Post-snap, key the middle linebacker's first step, if he fills the initial gap immediately, look for the back to bounce to the diagrammed cutback lane shown by the arrow. This play struggles against gap-sound 4-3 or 3-4 fronts with disciplined defensive tackles, but it can gash lighter fronts like 3-3 stack or defenses using nano blitz packages that overcommit off the edge. User-controlled defenders sitting in the A or B gap will erase this run, so if you see a user linebacker creeping down pre-snap, consider hot routing the play or checking to a passing concept instead.
Usage Tips
Use HB Base on early downs like first and ten to establish tempo and keep defenses honest against your RPO Zone Peek and RPO Alert Bubble calls from the same formation. Check the box count pre-snap and if the defense shows six or more in the box, consider audibling to Inside Zone or Inside Zone Split instead since this dive lacks a lead blocker to handle extra defenders. Attack light boxes against nickel and dime packages when the defense is clearly preparing for pass on third and long. Pair this play with PA Y Cross or Slants earlier in a series so the defense keys run action after seeing HB Base hit early, opening up play action shots. Stick to it in short yardage and goal line situations since the tight blocking angles translate well inside the ten yard line.
