Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Gut is a downhill run play out of Shotgun Split Close with 20 personnel, designed to hit the interior gap with a lead blocker attacking the point of attack. The diagram shows the HB taking a direct hit north with the FB or lead blocker crossing to seal the play side gap, indicating a gut/wham style blocking scheme where the fullback kicks out the first threat off tackle. There is no pass concept shown here, this is a pure run play with the primary read being the play side gap into the alley if the linebacker gets sealed.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify the number of defenders in the box, if there are seven or fewer this play has a strong chance to hit for positive yards. Watch the play side defensive end and linebacker depth, if they are crowding the line of scrimmage the fullback lead block may not have room to seal the edge. Post-snap, key on the middle linebacker's fill technique, if he is reading run fast and filling the gut lane you need to be ready to cut it back. This play is stopped by defenses that stack the box with a Cover 0 or Cover 1 look and blitz the A gaps, since the fullback lead blocker can get overwhelmed by numbers. It beats base 4-3 and 3-4 fronts that are playing two deep safeties and light in the box, since the interior blockers can win their one on one matchups against a lighter front.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs like first and ten or second and short when the defense shows a base front without extra defenders in the box. Check the pre-snap alignment of the play side linebacker and defensive end, if they are crashing hard down the gut you can bounce this outside off the fullback lead. Use this play in a sequence with HB Power O and FB Inside to keep the defense guessing between gap schemes, since all three hit similar landmarks but with different blockers leading. Against stacked boxes with eight or more defenders, avoid this play and instead call Read Option or Triple Option Lt from the same set to make the defense respect the edge. On short yardage or goal line situations this play is highly effective if the defense is in a nickel or dime package expecting pass.
