Playbooks
Breakdown
Power Read out of Shotgun Wing Slot Wk is a designed run play built on gap scheme power blocking with a true option element for the QB. The offensive line pulls the backside guard through the hole while the play side blocks down to create a power gap, and the QB reads a designated end man on the line to decide whether to hand off the HB on the power path or pull and keep it himself. Two receivers stay uninvolved as vertical route decoys up top to hold the safeties, so this is strictly a run play (not a pass or RPO) with the primary read being the unblocked edge defender: give if he crashes down on the RB, keep if he stays wide to take away the QB.
Defensive Reads
Watch the play side edge defender pre-snap since he is the designated read key: if he widens to take the QB, hand it off, if he sits inside, pull and run. Check safety depth before the snap, since a single high safety cheating down into the box signals the defense is selling out to stop the power run and daring you to throw the two vertical routes. Post-snap, track the backside linebacker flow, because a fast-flowing linebacker who chases the pulling guard can blow up the give read before it develops. Man coverage with no extra run support in the box is where this play hits hardest, since it isolates the read defender in a true numbers game. Heavy blitz packages that send extra defenders off the edge can outnumber the blocking scheme, so if you see a nano blitz look, be ready to check to a quick throw or audible out.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify the numbers in the box and confirm the read defender is truly unblocked before the snap so your keep/give decision is clean.
Look for light boxes (six or fewer defenders) since Power Read thrives when the defense is in nickel or dime personnel trying to defend the two vertical decoy routes.
If the defense shows a hard crash from the edge defender every time, start pulling the ball more often on early downs to keep them honest and hit explosive QB runs.
Pair this call with Read Option or Speed Option from the same Wing Slot Wk set so the defense cannot key on your run action or diagnose the mesh point pre-snap.
Best used on early downs (1st and 10, 2nd and short) when you want a balanced run look that still threatens verticals if the defense sells out to stop the QB.
