Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Power O out of Shotgun Split Offset is a gap scheme run play built to pull a blocker across the formation and create a numbers advantage at the point of attack. The diagram shows the offensive line blocking down while a lead blocker (FB or pulling guard) kicks out the edge defender, with the HB taking the handoff and pressing the hole behind the pulling blocker before reading the crease. This is a downhill power run, not a man or zone beater in the passing sense, and the primary read progression is patience: press the mesh point, read the pulling blocker's kick out block, then decide between the A-gap crease or bouncing outside if the edge gets sealed.
Defensive Reads
Watch for the Mike linebacker filling downhill fast, since a quick trigger means the offense should bounce the run outside the kick out block. Check safety depth pre-snap, a single high safety cheating into the box signals run support and this play may get blown up if not adjusted. Look for a defensive end or edge rusher crashing hard inside on the snap, this often opens a bounce lane if the lead blocker cannot get an angle. User-controlled defenders sitting in the A gap or spying the mesh point can diagnose this run quickly, so mix in play-action passes from the same set to slow their trigger. Blitz packages that send extra defenders through the same gap as the pulling blocker will collapse this run, so identify overload blitzes pre-snap and consider an audible.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs when the defense shows a light box or a two high shell with fewer than six defenders near the line of scrimmage.
Use pre-snap motion or a quick glance at the Mike linebacker's depth to confirm whether he is sitting in the hole or cheating outside, since that determines if you press the A gap or bounce it.
Pair HB Power O with Mtn Inside Zone and HB Draw from the same set so the defense cannot key on your run action out of Split Offset.
If the defense stacks the box with eight or more defenders, hold this play and call PA Skinny Post or PA Poco off the same formation to punish the aggression.
Manually control the lead blocker briefly at the snap to help seal the edge defender if the CPU AI blocking is inconsistent, then release control back to the HB for the cut.
