Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
QB Power is a designed QB run out of Shotgun in the Normal Y Off Wk set, built around 11 personnel with the QB pulling the ball on a downhill lane behind a power blocking scheme. The diagram shows the offensive line pulling to the play side to seal off gap penetration while a lead blocker climbs to the second level, clearing a running lane for the QB to attack. There is no route concept here since this is a pure gap scheme run play, so the primary read is the mesh point: identify the alley created by the pulling linemen and lead blocker, then decide whether to press the hole downhill or bounce outside if the edge defender crashes inside.
Defensive Reads
Watch the defensive line alignment pre-snap since an over front with a 3-technique to the play side can clog the pulling lane and blow up the play at the mesh point. Key the play side linebacker depth: if he is stacked tight to the line he can shoot the gap before the puller arrives and force a negative play. Look for edge defenders squeezing down hard, since that indicates the defense is sitting on the power run and will force a QB bounce outside where speed rushers can pursue. Man coverage on the perimeter can lead to a linebacker or safety crashing down into the box as a run blitzer, so respect any late safety rotation toward the box as a sign of a called run blitz. Zone coverage shells with two deep safeties tend to leave more room underneath for the pulling scheme to work, making this a strong counter to nickel zone looks that are light in the box.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or short yardage when you want to control tempo and pick up positive yardage on the ground without exposing the QB to unnecessary risk. Check the box count pre-snap: if the defense has six or more in the box you may want to check to a bubble or alert RPO from this same set instead of running into a loaded front. Use the pulling guard as your primary blocking key and stay patient behind him before deciding to cut outside. Pair this with RPO Alert Bubble or RPO Power Alert Bubble from the same formation so the defense has to respect both the run and the perimeter bubble read, keeping linebackers honest. Mix in Counter Bash or Inside Zone from this set to keep defenders guessing on run direction and prevent them from keying pull blocking every snap.
