Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Option out of Shotgun Split Close Pro sends the outside receivers on deep breaking routes, with the backside X running a deep out that snaps back toward the sideline and the playside receiver climbing on a corner-post to stretch the field vertically. The inside slot runs a shallow drag across the middle while the HB releases out of the backfield on an option route that bends upfield against a man defender pulling coverage. The FB kicks out on a red release path to seal the edge, showing this is a play-action pass concept designed to hold linebackers with the run action before the HB and drag route work underneath as the primary answer against blitz or man coverage.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth at the snap: shallow, aggressive linebackers are prime targets for the HB option route beating them in coverage. Check safety alignment pre-snap: two-high shells leave the deep out and corner-post vulnerable, while a single-high safety can rob the post route on the playside corner-post. Identify man versus zone coverage by reading the slot defender's initial movement: if he mirrors the drag route man to man, expect the HB option to have single coverage. Look for a user-controlled defender lurking underneath in zone coverage, since that player can jump the drag route or crash down on the HB option before it breaks upfield. Beware of blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge, since the FB's kick out block on the play-action fake needs to hold up to protect the quarterback's timing.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a hard look to the play-action fake to freeze linebackers before working through your reads.
Key on the HB option route first against man coverage since it is the built in man beater that creates natural separation off the linebacker's leverage.
If the defense shows two deep safeties, work the deep out route on the backside since it attacks the void left by a split safety shell.
Pair this call with HB Angle or HB Power O earlier in a series so the defense respects the run fake, making the play-action element on HB Option hit harder later in the game.
Best used on early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and short) when defenses are more willing to bite on run action, giving the HB option route room to work versus overaggressive linebackers.
