Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Draw out of Shotgun Split Flanker Close is a designed delay run that shows pass protection at the snap before handing the ball off through the middle of the line. The offensive line sets up in a pass pro look to freeze the front seven and pull linebackers out of their run fits, while the running back slides laterally before pressing back downhill through the vacated interior gap. This is a pure run play built to punish aggressive pass rush teams and overpursuing defenses, with the primary read being the mike linebacker and interior gap that opens up as the defensive line and backers bite on the pass set.
Defensive Reads
Watch the defensive line for an aggressive upfield rush, since wide rush lanes create a natural cutback lane for the back once he presses downhill. Key the mike linebacker: if he flows hard into a pass drop or blitzes off the edge, the draw hits big through the vacated middle. This play struggles against disciplined defenses that spy the running back or run a delayed blitz that stays home in the box. Zone defenses with linebackers reading run first shut this down quickly, so avoid calling it into a stacked box or a defense showing run blitz pre snap. Look for user controlled defenders sitting in the middle of the field, since a spy or lurk defender can blow up the draw before the back gets to the second level.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or in third and medium situations when the defense shows a pass shell with linebackers backpedaling into zone drops. Use it against defenses that bring five or six man pressure since the delayed handoff lets blitzers run themselves out of the play. Pair it in sequence with Read Option or Inside Zone Lt to keep the defense guessing between gap runs and this delayed draw look. Motion the flanker pre snap to check if the defense shifts into man coverage, since man defenders turning their backs to run with receivers create bigger interior running lanes. Save this play for after you have shown a few drop back pass concepts like X Dig or WR Corner from this same set so the defense respects the pass action first.
