Playbooks
HB Power out of Shotgun Trips TE Flex Close WK is a gap scheme run play that pulls the backside guard (or fullback replacement lineman in 11 personnel) through the hole to lead block for the HB, generating a numbers advantage at the point of attack. The play side combo blocks down on the defensive line while the puller kicks out or wraps on the first defender to show in the alley, so your primary read is the puller's block: follow him through the hole and be ready to bounce outside if the linebacker fills too fast inside. This is strictly a base run concept with no play-action or RPO elements attached, designed to punish light boxes and undisciplined linebacker flow.
Look for a stacked box with 7 or more defenders showing blitz, since this kills HB Power's blocking numbers and the puller will get beat to the hole Identify Mike linebacker depth pre-snap: a linebacker sitting shallow at 3 to 4 yards is primed to shoot the gap and blow up the play before the puller arrives Watch for user-controlled defensive tackles crashing down the line hard post-snap, which forces you to cut back away from the pulling guard's path Man coverage on the backside with the corner playing tight technique signals a light box on run support, making this an ideal call versus man beater tendencies on early downs If the defense shows a heavy edge blitz or nano blitz off the trips side, expect the puller's kick out block to get beat, so be ready to cut inside immediately off the snap
Check the box count before the snap and only run HB Power into 6 or fewer defenders in the box since the trips side pulls extra defenders away with 3 receivers removed
Use manual assignment or user the puller briefly at the snap to make sure he seals the correct edge, especially against odd front looks where the puller has to adjust his path
Pair this with Same Side Zone and Inside Zone in the same set to keep linebackers guessing between gap and zone run action since all three hit downhill quickly
Call this on early downs, first or second and short to medium, to stay ahead of the sticks and set up later play action shots like Return PA Deep Sail or PA Flood from the same formation
If the defense starts crashing hard on run fits after stopping HB Power once, sequence into RPO Read Bubble or Bounce Read Option from this set to keep the same run action but add a pass or option element