Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Power O out of Shotgun Split Close is a downhill gap scheme run play built to move the pile with numbers at the point of attack. The diagram shows the offensive line blocking down while the backside guard or fullback pulls through the hole to lead up on the playside linebacker, with the HB taking the handoff and pressing the gap before reading the kickout block. This is a run play, not a man or zone beater, and the primary read progression for the ball carrier is pull blocker first, then the play side A or B gap, bouncing outside only if the alley is sealed.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a 3-4 under front with the defensive tackle shaded in the play side A gap, since this can blow up the pull lane before the puller gets there. Key the play side linebacker depth, if he is sitting at 4 yards or closer he can scrape over the top and beat the kickout block. User the backside linebacker or a lurking safety to spy the cutback lane since Power O ball carriers will bounce if the interior gets clogged. Cover 1 or Cover 3 with an extra run defender in the box shuts this down fast, so bring an eighth man down when you diagnose gun run formations. If the offense repeats this look, sell out with a run blitz through the play side B gap to beat the puller to the spot before he can seal the edge.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and only run HB Power O into light boxes with six or fewer defenders in the tackle box.
Use motion or a quick glance at the linebacker depth to confirm the defense is not stacked to spill the pull blocker.
Hot route the fullback or extra blocker only if you need to adjust the kickout angle against an edge defender playing outside leverage.
Pair this run with Read Option and Triple Option Lt from the same set so defenses cannot key run fits off formation alone.
Best called on early downs or short yardage since the gap scheme excels at moving piles for 3 to 5 yards even when the defense guesses run.
