Playbooks

Power Read Toss

Shotgun·Spread Y-Slot·11

Likely unavailable in the playbook builder

This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Diagram coming soon

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetSpread Y-Slot

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 1 playbook

Franchise Offense PullpartyOffense

Breakdown

Power Read Toss is a run-heavy option play out of the Shotgun Spread Y-Slot 11 personnel set, designed to attack the edge with a toss action combined with a read element on the playside end or OLB. The offensive line pulls to seal the alley while the quarterback reads the unblocked defender to decide between handing off the toss or pulling it back for a keeper. This is a pure run play with no route combos to speak of, so it functions as a gap and perimeter run scheme rather than a man or zone beater in the passing sense. The primary read progression is the quarterback identifying the crash or contain of the read defender at the mesh point before committing to the toss or the pull.

Defensive Reads

Watch the playside defensive end or OLB before the snap. If he is aligned wide and squeezed down, this play is live for the toss since the alley opens up. Look for user defenders flying downhill immediately at the snap, this is a sign of a nano blitz or crash call meant to blow up the mesh point before the read develops. Check safety depth. Two high safeties usually means lighter box counts and more room to work outside, while one high or zero high safety alignments signal extra run support that can clog the edge. If linebackers are shaded hard to the play call side pre-snap, this suggests the CPU or opponent has diagnosed the tendency and will fill fast, so consider using the QB pull option to counter. Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with disciplined edge defenders shut this down quickly since the read defender stays home, so have a play-action or pass alternative ready if the defense keeps sitting on it.

Usage Tips

Use pre-snap motion or a look to the box count to confirm you have numbers advantage before snapping this play.

Check linebacker depth and edge alignment. If the defensive end or OLB is crashing hard down the line every snap, key on pulling the ball yourself for an explosive gain around the edge.

Pair this with Read Option and Jet Inside Zone earlier in a drive to condition the defense to bite on inside run fits, then hit them with the toss action to the perimeter.

Best called on early downs (first or second and short to medium) when the defense is still in base personnel and has not sold out to stop the run with extra box defenders.

If you see a heavy blitz look pre-snap with defenders stacked near the line, consider audibling to a quick game pass like Stick N Nod or Bubble Screens instead since the alley will be too crowded for the toss to hit.