Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
HB Power O is a gap-scheme run play out of Shotgun Split Pro Offset Wk with 21 personnel, designed to pull the backside guard and lead block through the hole for the HB. The diagram shows the offset back running a lead path into the line while the play call kicks out the point of attack, using down blocks up front to seal the edge and create a natural crease between the guard and tackle. This is not a man or zone beater in the passing sense since it is a pure power run play, and the primary read is the HB reading the lead blocker to decide whether to hit inside the double team or bounce outside off the kickout block.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth before the snap since stacked backers at 4 yards or closer are keying run and will fill the power lane fast. Identify safety rotation, if both safeties stay deep in a two high shell there is more room to cut the HB Power O to the edge before the alley defender arrives. Beware of A-gap blitzes and nano packages from odd fronts, since a jumped snap count on Power O leaves the guard's pull path exposed and gets the HB hit before he reaches the hole. Read the playside defensive end, if he crashes hard inside to string the play out, bounce the run outside off the kickout block instead of forcing it between the tackles. Man coverage on the perimeter receivers tells you the defense is playing single high, which usually means one extra run defender in the box so be ready to cut back if the backside pursuit overruns the play.
Usage Tips
Run this out of 2nd and short or 3rd and short situations where defenses expect a possible pass and load the box less aggressively.
Check the defensive front pre-snap for even fronts with light boxes since Power O gets stonewalled versus stacked 4-3 under looks with extra linebackers crashing downhill.
Motion the offset back before the snap to confirm man coverage versus zone, since a defender following the motion signals man and tells you the backside will be softer to cut back into.
Pair this with Read Option and PA F Slide from the same set so linebackers have to respect both the power run action and the play action rollout, keeping the box honest.
Use your user-controlled lineman to seal the first defender crossing the guard's face rather than climbing to the second level too early, since that lets the HB find the crease off the double team.
