Playbooks
At a Glance
Overview
Split U Off Close is a heavy Shotgun set built from 22 personnel: two running backs flanking the quarterback in a split backfield, two tight ends, and a single wide receiver. The U tight end is aligned off the line in a close wing position, which gives the offense an extra gap on the edge without forcing the tight end into a pure in-line stance. That off-ball alignment is what separates this set from standard Shotgun spread or Trips looks. It condenses the formation, adds a lead blocker or leak option on every snap, and forces the defense to account for power run fits from a passing launch point.
The personnel creates problems for defensive substitution. Most opponents answer 22 personnel with base or goal line packages, which puts linebackers and safeties in coverage against your 3DRB and receiving tight ends. The split backs threaten both edges on outside zone and inside zone, while the U off the ball can arc, kick out, or release into the flat on Texas U-Out and Smash Spot. The lone wideout is often isolated against a single corner with limited help because the safeties have to respect the heavy run look.
The play list leans hard into gadget and misdirection football. Spinner HB Zone and PA Spinner Post Flood use a quarterback spin fake to freeze linebackers and user defenders, while the Mtn series (Mtn Inside Zone, Mtn PA HB Swing, Mtn Cross Screen) builds a run, action, and screen package off identical pre-snap looks. Combined with Mesh Spot Rails and Smash Spot as base pass concepts, this set lets a Power HB offense stay balanced without ever leaving heavy personnel.
Strengths
- Heavy 22 personnel pulls defenses into base or goal line packages, creating linebacker on running back mismatches for Texas U-Out, Mesh Spot Rails, and the swing routes out of the split backfield
- Spinner HB Zone and PA Spinner Post Flood put a spin fake in front of the second level, which freezes a user-controlled linebacker and opens the post and flood window behind aggressive run fits
- The Mtn package shows identical play art pre-snap for Mtn Inside Zone, Mtn PA HB Swing, and Mtn Cross Screen, making it extremely hard for opponents to key tendencies or cheat blitzes
- Split backs plus the off-ball U give an extra blocker on both edges, so Outside Zone Lt and Mtn Inside Zone generate true numbers advantages against light boxes and Cover 2 shells
- Mesh Spot Rails is a reliable man beater with natural rubs underneath and a running back rail up the sideline that punishes linebackers in Cover 1 and Cover 0
Weaknesses
- Only one true wide receiver means limited vertical stress, so defenses can play Cover 1 Robber or Cover 3 Sky and crowd the box without fear of getting beat over the top
- Zero and overload blitzes off the edge are dangerous because Spinner and play action plays take the QB's eyes off the rush for a full beat, leading to sacks before the fake completes
- A user-controlled safety or linebacker sitting in the middle hook can take away the post on PA Spinner Post Flood and the crossers on Mesh Spot Rails once the opponent recognizes the spin tendency
- Screens like Mtn Cross Screen and Mtn PA HB Swing are vulnerable to contain and flat zone calls, and a defense that spins to Cover 3 Buzz can blow them up for loss
- The condensed formation limits horizontal spacing, so zone heavy defenses with hook curl and flat droppers can clog Smash Spot and Texas U-Out without needing to cheat coverage
Usage Tips
Use this set on first and 10 and short yardage when the defense counters with base or goal line personnel, then read the box count pre-snap: six or fewer means run Mtn Inside Zone or Outside Zone Lt, seven plus means check to Mesh Spot Rails or Smash Spot
Establish Spinner HB Zone for two or three snaps before calling PA Spinner Post Flood so the spin fake actually pulls the user linebacker downhill and opens the deep post
Against Cover 0 or Cover 1 pressure, hot route one back to a block or slant and lean on Mesh Spot Rails, since the rubs and running back rail beat man coverage before the blitz arrives
If the defense shows a spinning safety rotating to the flat, audible out of Mtn Cross Screen and Mtn PA HB Swing into Texas U-Out, which attacks the vacated hook zone with the running back
In red zone and goal to go situations, pair the split back threat with a smash concept by calling Smash Spot and motioning the U across to create a pick against man and a flood against Cover 2
