Playbooks

HB Off Tackle

Shotgun·Trey Open·11

Off Tackle Run Play

Play diagram for HB Off Tackle from Shotgun Trey Open in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetTrey Open

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

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Breakdown

HB Off Tackle out of Shotgun Trey Open is a straightforward gap run play designed to hit the edge of the offensive line with the HB taking a lateral step before pressing the hole between the tackle and tight end. The line blocks down with a standard run scheme up front while the receivers run off coverage to clear space outside, though no route options are shown for this concept. This is a run heavy call with no play-action or RPO element attached, so the primary read is the HB reading the block of the playside tackle and TE to decide whether to bounce outside or cut it up inside based on the leverage of the defensive end and outside linebacker.

Defensive Reads

Watch for defensive ends and outside linebackers who crash down hard inside, since this play is built to bounce outside when the edge defender overcommits to the interior gap. Look at the safety alignment before the snap. Two deep safeties usually means a lighter box and more room for the off tackle run to develop. If the strong side linebacker or nickel defender is stacked tight to the line pre snap, expect a fast fill and a shortened gap, which favors calling something else instead. On the defensive side, playing a hard edge with the SAM linebacker set the edge and squeezing down the tackle to TE gap shuts this play down quickly. Watch for run blitzes from the second level. If a linebacker shows blitz and shoots the same gap the HB is aiming for, the runner needs to cut back away from the pursuit immediately.

Usage Tips

Use this play on early downs, particularly first and second and short to medium yardage, to stay ahead of the chains without tipping your hand.

Check the box count before the snap. If you see six or more defenders in the box against 11 personnel, consider audibling to a pass concept from this same formation instead.

Pair this with HB Draw and Inside Zone from the same set so the defense cannot key on a single gap or tempo, forcing linebackers to hesitate on their run fits.

Use manual ball carrier vision to press the hole hard before making your cut, since the blocking up front is designed to create a natural bounce lane off tackle.

Run this against light boxes or when linebackers are showing blitz cues pre snap, since their aggressive downhill pursuit can be misdirected by the initial lateral HB path.