Playbooks

HB Power O

Shotgun·Split Slot Open·20

Power Run Play Power Run

Play diagram for HB Power O from Shotgun Split Slot Open in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetSplit Slot Open

Personnel

202 RB · 0 TE · 3 WR

In 7 playbooks

Air Raid Classic OffenseOffense Balanced OffenseOffense Franchise Offense Sharedcoach3Offense Superstar HB Agile Superstar HB Bruiser Superstar HB Receiving Two Back OffenseOffense

Breakdown

HB Power O out of Shotgun Split Slot Open is a gap scheme run play designed to pull the backside guard through the hole to lead block for the HB. The diagram shows the offensive line blocking down while the guard kicks out to the play side, creating a lead blocker in front of the ball carrier as he presses the hole between the tackle and guard. This is a physical, downhill run play (not a man or zone beater against pass coverage) built to overpower one gap with numbers, and the primary read progression for the HB is to press the play side hole, read the pulling guard's block, and decide whether to cut inside off the double team or bounce outside if the edge defender crashes down too hard.

Defensive Reads

Watch the defensive tackle alignment pre-snap, a shaded nose or 3 technique on the play side can clog the pulling lane before the guard ever gets there. Identify if the defense is running a run blitz or gap exchange, if the linebacker crashes the backside gap immediately the pulling guard loses his angle and the play dies behind the line. Key the play side edge defender's leverage, if he squeezes hard down the line this play beats him clean since the puller kicks him out, but if he stays disciplined and holds the edge the HB has to cut it up inside quicker. Look for a user linebacker sitting in the hole reading pull action, a good user defender flowing downhill fast can blow this play up before the double team seals it. This run struggles against stacked eight man fronts or aggressive A gap blitzes since the puller cannot reach the second level in time, but it consistently wins versus base fronts and zone coverage shells that are light in the box.

Usage Tips

Check the box count before the snap and only call this against light fronts with six or fewer defenders in the box to guarantee the numbers advantage the pulling guard creates.

Use your HB's vision and patience, do not rush the cut, let the puller get in front and read whether the edge defender squeezes down or stays wide before committing to the hole.

Pair this with Shovel Option or RPO Peek Slant from the same set so defenses cannot key the pull action and sit on the run fit every snap.

Best called on early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and short) when you want to establish tempo and set up play action shots like PA Y Cross or PA Tulsa Pop later in the drive.

Against aggressive fronts stacking the box, motion into a heavier look or check to HB Off Tackle from the same set to attack the edge instead of forcing it inside.