Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Mid Draw out of Shotgun Trips TE shows three receivers stacked to one side and a lone TE to the other, with the HB set behind the QB as a delayed handoff run play. The offensive line pass sets initially to sell dropback pass before engaging in run blocks up the middle, luring the front seven upfield before the RB hits the interior gap. This is a pure run play designed to counter aggressive pass rush and blitz-heavy defenses that sell out on the trips side, with the primary read being the interior lane created by the mike or the play side gap once the D-line and linebackers commit to the rush.
Defensive Reads
Watch for user-controlled linebackers spying the QB instead of dropping into coverage, since a disciplined mike backer sitting in the hole kills this draw immediately. Key on defensive tackles and ends selling hard upfield off the snap, which indicates the AI or opponent is anticipating a dropback pass and opens the interior running lane. Check safety depth pre-snap, if both safeties are deep in a two high shell it signals more room underneath for the draw to develop before help arrives. Identify blitz packages pre-snap by looking at linebacker alignment and CB press coverage on the trips side, since all out blitzes get gashed by the delayed draw timing. Post-snap, track whether the defense's front seven collapses the pocket or stays disciplined in gap control, as disciplined gap defense forces the RB to bounce outside where blockers are not set up to help.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or after establishing pass tendencies with other plays in the Trips TE set to keep the defense honest and guessing run versus pass.
Look for pre-snap blitz indicators like linebackers creeping to the line or safeties rotating down, since draws thrive against overaggressive pass rush teams sending nano blitzes.
Delay your handoff timing by holding the snap animation just enough to let the D-line fully commit upfield before hitting the hole, this maximizes the deception factor of the draw.
Pair this play with Verticals, PA Boot Shot, or PA Counter Go earlier in a drive to condition the defense into expecting a dropback pass from this same personnel and formation look.
Avoid calling this against disciplined zone defenses that keep linebackers home, since the draw loses its blocking angle advantage when defenders do not bite on the pass fake.
