Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Mtn HB Draw lines up out of Shotgun Tight Open with 11 personnel and shows a pre-snap motion tag that shifts the backfield look before the ball is snapped. The offensive line shows pass protection at the snap to sell a dropback look, with the HB delaying behind the pocket before taking a delayed handoff and hitting the interior gap once the defensive line and linebackers flow upfield. This is a run play designed to punish aggressive pass rush defenses and blitz-heavy fronts, with the primary read being the natural cutback lane created by over-pursuing defensive tackles and linebackers who bite on the pass set.
Defensive Reads
Watch for linebacker depth at the snap, if they are crashing hard upfield off the edge or blitzing through interior gaps this draw will hit as they overrun the play. Identify if the defense is in a two high safety shell versus single high, since two high shells often mean lighter boxes that create bigger cutback lanes for the HB. Key on defensive tackle first step, if they are shooting gaps aggressively rather than reading and reacting the interior blocking will seal them out of the play. User the middle linebacker manually to sit on the draw read instead of dropping into coverage, since AI linebackers are the most common defenders fooled by the delayed handoff. This play struggles against zone blitz packages that spy the backfield or against defenses that stay disciplined with defensive ends staying home to protect the cutback lane.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion tag to identify if the defense is playing man or zone based on whether a defender follows the motion man across the formation.
This play hits best on early downs like first and second and ten when defenses are not anticipating a run call out of a Shotgun Tight Open look.
Call this after showing several dropback pass plays from this same set like Mesh Spot or Y Cross so the defense is conditioned to expect pass protection at the snap.
Avoid calling Mtn HB Draw against disciplined defensive lines that keep contain and read their gaps, since the delayed action gives extra time for backside pursuit.
Pair this with Verticals HB Burst or HB Slip Screen in the same drive to keep linebackers guessing between draw, screen, and vertical shot plays out of similar formations.
