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Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
HB Power out of Shotgun Trips X Nasty Off Wk is a downhill gap scheme run play designed to get a lead blocker through the hole for the HB. The diagram shows the offensive line pulling the backside guard around to kick out the point of attack while the HB takes a slight aiming point behind the guards before pressing upfield through the created gap. This is a run play, not a man or zone beater in the passing sense, and it is built to attack light boxes or defenses that overcommit to the trips side, with the primary read being the pulling guard's kickout block to decide between the B gap and cutting back if the alley is sealed.
Defensive Reads
Watch for defenses that stack the box with 7 or 8 defenders, since this immediately shuts down the numbers advantage Power needs to succeed. Key the Mike linebacker's pre-snap depth and alignment, as a linebacker cheating toward the A or B gap can beat the pulling guard to the spot and blow up the play. Look for user-controlled defenders spying the backfield or flowing hard downhill pre-snap, which signals they have identified the run and will try to shoot the gap. Identify if the defense is in a run-blitz look with edge defenders crashing hard inside, since that can seal off the cutback lane the HB needs against Power. Check safety rotation post-snap because a fast-flowing safety filling the alley can erase the play even if the initial blocks at the line are won.
Usage Tips
Check the box count pre-snap and only run this into 6 or fewer defenders in the box since Power relies on winning the numbers game at the point of attack.
Use motion or a quick glance at the Mike linebacker's depth to confirm he is not walked down into the A gap, which can clog the pulling guard's path.
Pair this with SFT Inside Zone from the same set so defenses cannot key run fits based on formation alone, forcing linebackers to hesitate between gap schemes.
Run this on early downs, especially 1st and 10 or 2nd and short, to stay ahead of the sticks and keep play-action shots like SFT PA Curl Seam viable off similar backfield action.
Trust the pulling guard's block and stay patient behind it, pressing the hole hard rather than bouncing outside prematurely since Power is designed to be a downhill gap play.
