Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
45 Quick Base is a shotgun dive run play out of the Spread Slots Close formation with 10 personnel on the field. The diagram shows a straightforward inside handoff with the offensive line stepping to gap-block at the point of attack while all four wide receivers run vertical stems up the field to occupy their defenders and hold the deep coverage honest. This is a pure run play with no play-action or RPO element shown, and the primary read is the running back identifying whether to bang the run through the initial dive lane or bounce to daylight based on how the second level linebackers and the box count flow to the ball.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify the number of defenders in the box and safety depth since this play struggles against stacked eight man fronts or run blitz packages sent from depth. Key the middle linebacker at the snap because his initial step and gap fill determine whether the dive lane is available or if the back needs to bounce outside. Watch for user-controlled defensive linemen crashing hard down the line since a disciplined interior penetrator can blow up the blocking scheme before the back gets to the mesh point. Look for linebackers cheating up to the line pre-snap, which signals a run blitz look that will beat this play unless you get an early hot route or check to a pass concept. Cover 1 and Cover 3 looks with light boxes are the most vulnerable shells since the vertical releases from the receivers keep extra defenders out of the run fit.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and only run 45 Quick Base into light boxes of six defenders or fewer since the spread formation removes an extra blocker from the core. Use this play on early downs, especially first and second and short to medium yardage, to stay ahead of the chains without exposing the ball to negative plays. Motion a slot receiver pre-snap to confirm man versus zone shells and to potentially draw out a blitzer before the snap. Pair 45 Quick Base with RNS 90 Replace Y Stick or RNS Y Stick from the same set so the defense has to respect both the inside run and the quick passing game out of identical formation looks. Vary your run timing by mixing in HB Draw or Read Option from this set so linebackers cannot sit on the dive read every snap.
