Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Draw out of Shotgun Trey Open shows a five man protection look with the offensive line selling pass set before turning up to block for the running back on a delayed handoff. The Trey bunch to one side and the single receiver away from it hold defenders in their route stems to disguise the run, letting the interior line climb to the second level once linebackers bite on the pass fake. This is a run play designed to punish overaggressive pass rush and blitz-heavy defenses, with the primary read being the frontside gap first before bouncing outside if the linebackers flow too fast downhill.
Defensive Reads
Watch for delayed linebacker reactions, if the mikes and will linebacker sit in their pass drop for a beat before reacting this play will hit for positive yards. Beats aggressive man coverage blitzes and Cover 1 or Cover 3 blitz packages where linebackers are sent as extra rushers and vacate the intended running lanes. Struggles against Cover 4 and Cover 2 zone shells with disciplined linebackers who read backfield action and stay square, especially if a defender is spying the running back pre-snap. Look for a linebacker or safety flashing in the box pre-snap, this indicates a run blitz call that can beat the draw before blockers get set. Post-snap, track the defensive line, if the tackles and ends are getting immediate penetration up the field on the pass rush the interior blockers cannot climb in time and the draw will get stuffed at the line.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or in third and short situations where defenses expect a quick pass out of the Trey bunch look.
Check the box count pre-snap, if you see five or six defenders stacked near the line of scrimmage this draw loses value because there is no room to develop.
Use this play after showing Curls or Quick Slants from the same set so the defense keys pass rush lanes and linebackers stay in coverage drops, opening up the delayed run lanes.
Avoid calling HB Draw against defenses that show heavy blitz pre-snap since fast flowing linebackers and a free rusher can blow up the play before the line gets to the second level.
User the fullback or lead blocker if available to seal the first linebacker to the play side, this manually clears the primary running lane the back reads.
