Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
QB Power out of Shotgun Wing Slot Offset is a designed QB run that pulls the frontside guard to lead the quarterback through the hole while the offensive line down blocks to seal the point of attack. The diagram shows the QB taking a lateral step before cutting upfield behind the pulling guard, with the HB running a fake or lead path to help sell the mesh point. This is a pure gap scheme run play built to attack downhill with the QB as the ballcarrier, not a play-action or pass concept, and it beats light boxes and overaggressive fits where the backside defenders crash too hard.
Defensive Reads
Key the play side defensive end first since a crashing end who ignores the QB keep will open the exact lane the pulling guard is aiming for. Watch the middle linebacker's run fit, if he stays home and reads the pull instead of flowing with the RB fake he can close the hole before the guard arrives. Identify whether the defense is in a run blitz or gap exchange call, stunts and games up front can beat the down blocks and force a negative play. Check safety depth pre-snap, a safety cheating into the box pre-snap signals extra run support and means the QB should be ready to bounce outside if the inside lane is clogged. Contain defenders who stay disciplined on the edge and refuse to bite on the RB action are the biggest threat to this play, since QB Power depends on the edge defender being sealed or accounted for.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs against six or fewer men in the box to take advantage of the extra gap created by the pulling guard.
Check the middle linebacker's alignment pre-snap since a MLB shaded to the play side can blow up the pull lane before the guard gets there.
Pair QB Power with Read Option or Jet Power Read from this same set so defenses cannot sit on the QB run tendency and have to respect both the give and the keep.
Use manual motion or a quick pre-snap look to bait the defense into showing blitz, then snap the ball if the edge defender widens out of the play side gap.
In short yardage and goal to go situations this play shines because the extra gap forces linebackers to declare late, giving the QB a clean crease to cut through.
