Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Draw out of Shotgun Tight Flex is a base run play that shows five offensive linemen setting a pass-protection look before sealing lanes for the running back on a delayed handoff up the middle. The diagram shows two receivers stacked wide on each side occupying corners deep, holding the perimeter defenders while the interior line climbs to the second level to wall off linebackers. This is a straight run concept designed to bait aggressive pass rushers and blitzing linebackers, with the primary read being the running back patiently pressing the mesh point then reading the front side gap created by the guard and center combo blocks before breaking to the open crease.
Defensive Reads
Pre snap, check linebacker depth: stacked or crashing linebackers signal blitz packages that this draw is designed to exploit Identify safety alignment since single high shells with aggressive linebackers get gashed by the delayed hit while two high shells with disciplined backers can close the lane quickly Post snap, key on defensive tackle penetration since a good three technique that reads run quickly can blow up the play before the guard climbs User controlled defenders sitting in the hole or lurking underneath routes are the biggest threat to this concept, so avoid this play if the opponent consistently spies the middle Look for linebackers who bite hard on the pass fake and flow toward the perimeter, since that overpursuit is exactly what creates the cutback lane for the running back
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs like first and ten to keep defenses honest against your shotgun passing game out of this same personnel grouping
Watch for defenders crashing off the edge or blitzing linebackers pre snap since the draw action naturally punishes overaggressive pass rush timing
Use the fake pass set from the offensive line to your advantage by letting the running back sell the pass block for a full count before accelerating through the hole
Pair this with quick game passes like Stick or Slot Curl from the same Tight Flex set so the defense cannot key on formation tendencies
Avoid calling this against disciplined zone defenses that keep linebackers home, since the play relies on linebacker flow and overpursuit to open the running lane
