Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 14 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Off Tackle out of Shotgun Trey Open is a gap run scheme designed to attack the edge just outside the tackle box. The offensive line down blocks in unison while the fullback or attached blocking assignment seals the edge defender, giving the HB a clear lane to press outside before working downhill. There is no route concept here since this is a designated run play, and the read progression is simple: the HB presses the hole, reads the down block leverage at the point of attack, and decides to bounce outside or cut it up inside based on how the edge defender is sealed.
Defensive Reads
Watch for defensive ends and outside linebackers crashing down hard, since that opens the bounce lane off tackle immediately. If the defense shows a heavy box with an extra defender near the line of scrimmage pre-snap, this play loses its blocking advantage and gets stuffed. Man coverage on the perimeter with no extra flow support to the play side gives the HB a clean edge once he turns the corner. Zone defenses that flow hard with the play call can be beaten by a quick cutback if the backside cutback lane stays open. User-controlled linebackers sitting still in the box are the biggest threat to this play, since they can fill the alley before the HB gets outside.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs like first or second and short to medium distance when the defense has not committed extra bodies to the box.
Check the pre-snap alignment of the defensive end and outside linebacker on the play side, if they are lined up wide or crashing hard down, this play has natural room to bounce.
Pair this with HB Draw and Inside Zone from the same personnel to keep linebackers guessing between gap runs and cutback lanes.
Use subtle motion or a quick shift pre-snap to see if the defense shows blitz or rotates a safety down, which tells you whether to stick with the run or check to a quick pass like Quick Slants.
Avoid calling this into stacked box looks with two safeties near the line, since the numbers advantage favors the defense on the edge.
