Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Mid Draw out of Shotgun Tight Slots is a designed delay run that shows pass blocking at the snap before the offensive line pivots to run blocking up the middle. The diagram shows both tackles setting to protect while the interior linemen and center climb to seal the middle, with the fullback area vacant since this is 11 personnel, letting the HB press the mesh point and read the initial hole. This is a pure run play built to punish aggressive pass rush lanes and overpursuing linebackers, with the primary read being the A gap first before bouncing to either B gap based on the flow of the defensive tackles.
Defensive Reads
Key the defensive tackles and mike linebacker immediately at the snap since their first step determines whether the A or B gap will be the cutback lane. Watch for a delayed blitz or interior stunt from the defensive line since this disrupts the draw timing and blows up the play before the hole develops. Zone coverages with linebackers sitting in shallow drops tend to overreact to the pass set and get pulled out of the box, opening the middle. Man coverage with linebackers manned up on the backfield is the toughest look since they can read the draw and fill downhill without hesitation. Watch the user linebacker for a delayed spy or lurk technique since a smart human defender can sit on the draw and erase the play if he recognizes the pass-set-then-run action pre-snap.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs against defenses that show heavy pass rush splits or wide four man fronts since the delayed handoff exploits gaps created by upfield rushers. Use it as a changeup after running HB Draw or Mtn HB Draw earlier in the game so linebackers stay hesitant to crash downhill on future draw looks. Motion a slot receiver pre-snap to bait linebackers into man coverage rotation and confirm whether you are getting a two high or single high safety shell. Pair it in your play-calling sequence with Stick or Mesh from the same set so the pre-snap alignment looks identical to a passing concept. Avoid calling this against interior run blitzes or defenses stacking the box since the delayed action gives extra defenders time to read and fill.
