Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Power O out of Shotgun Wing Flex Offset is a gap scheme power run play with a lead blocker pulling from the backside guard through the play side B gap. The diagram shows two receivers stacked wide with no route conversions since this is a designed handoff, while the offensive line down blocks and the fullback or H back kicks out the edge defender to create a running lane. Primary read is the play side A or B gap, with the ball carrier keying the puller for a bounce outside if the alley is clogged.
Defensive Reads
Watch the middle linebacker depth pre-snap. If he is stacked tight behind the nose or 3 technique, he is likely reading run fits fast and will scrape hard to the play side gap. Identify if the defense is in a one high or two high shell. Single high safety looks often mean an extra run defender in the box, making this a tougher matchup for Power O. Key the edge defender or outside linebacker to the play side. If he is crashing down hard pre-snap or showing blitz, the kick out block from the fullback becomes critical to seal him. Look for defensive tackles slanting toward the play side gap, since a well timed slant can blow up the down blocks before the puller arrives. Beware of a scraping or fast flowing linebacker who reads pulling guards well, especially in nano blitz packages designed to shoot the backside A gap the instant the guard pulls.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and medium) when you want to establish tempo and force the defense to respect gap integrity before opening up play action shots from this same formation.
Check the box count pre-snap. If the defense shows six or more in the box against 12 personnel, consider checking to a perimeter throw like Slants Y Stick instead of running into a loaded front.
Use the offset alignment to your advantage by reading which side the extra blocker (wing or H back) is aligned to, then trust the pulling guard to seal the edge defender on that side.
Pair this play with PA Slide or Wheel Post Drag later in the drive since both plays start with the same run action look, forcing linebackers to hesitate on their run fits and opening up throwing lanes off play action.
Avoid calling this into heavy blitz looks with overloaded fronts unless you have a hot route or check ready, since the pulling lineman can get beaten to the spot by a fast scraping linebacker.
