Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Off Tackle out of Shotgun Split Slot Open is a gap-scheme run play designed to hit off the edge of the offensive tackle, with the offensive line sealing the point of attack and the HB reading his blockers for the crease. The diagram shows the HB taking a direct path toward the tackle box before pressing outside, with the offensive line working combo blocks to displace the front and create a lane between the tackle and the alley. This is a run play, not a play-action or RPO, so the primary read progression is the HB reading his pulling or down blocks at the point of attack, then deciding to bounce outside or cut back based on how the defensive end and linebacker flow react.
Defensive Reads
Watch the defensive end and outside linebacker alignment before the snap, if they are crashing hard inside the tackle should have an easy kick out for the bounce lane. Key the will linebacker and mike linebacker depth, if they are sitting shallow in the box expect quick run fits that can clog the intended gap. Look for safety rotation post snap, a single high safety that stays deep signals man or single high zone coverage which usually means fewer extra run defenders. If the defense shows an overload blitz or stacks bodies on the play side edge, this run gets stopped quickly since the blocking scheme cannot handle numbers advantage at the point of attack. User controlled defenders flying downhill from depth are the biggest threat to this play, so respect any user linebacker or safety creeping toward the box pre-snap.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a hard count to bait linebackers into showing blitz or run fits before the snap. Attack light boxes where the defense has six or fewer defenders in the box, especially against nickel or dime personnel that lack extra run support. Pair this play with Power Read or HB Sweep Wk from the same set so the defense cannot key on one specific run gap and has to respect multiple edge threats. If the defense stacks the box or shows heavy run blitz looks, check to RPO Peek Slant or RPO Zone Peek from this formation to make them pay for overcommitting. Best called on early downs or short yardage when you want a north-south gain with the option to bounce outside if the edge defender crashes down.
