Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Toss out of Singleback Ace Close is a pure outside run play that gets the ball to the HB quickly with the offensive line and TEs releasing to reach block along the frontside edge. The diagram shows the HB tossing wide to the flank while the WR runs a vertical route to occupy the deep defender on that side, and the line flows laterally to set up cutback lanes for the ball carrier. This is a run play, not a man or zone beater in the passing sense, and the primary read progression is playside first: get to the edge, read the reach and kickout blocks, and decide whether to bounce outside or cut inside off the first hat you see.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a hard edge from the playside DE or OLB, this signals a defense keying the toss and forces an immediate cutback read. Check the safety alignment before the snap, single-high shells with the safety cheating downhill can close the alley fast and blow up the bounce. Look for a fast flowing MIKE linebacker, if he is reading the toss action and flowing wide with no delay this run gets shut down at the line. Man coverage on the perimeter WR can create a numbers advantage since the corner is occupied and not filling the run lane. Watch for user-controlled defenders spying the HB pitch, a quick jump on the toss motion by a user linebacker is the biggest threat to this play working outside.
Usage Tips
Use HB Toss against defenses that show light boxes or overplay the interior run fits, since the play attacks the perimeter before the defense can flow. Check the alignment of the playside DE and OLB pre-snap, if they are crashing hard inside you have an easy bounce read to the sideline. Motion or shift the backside TE to identify if the defense is in man or zone before the snap, this helps you diagnose overpursuit risk. Pair this play with HB Zone Wk and HB Stretch to keep defenders honest on width without tipping your run direction, then mix in Jet Sweep or PA Jet Sweep from the same formation to punish linebackers who start flying to the perimeter too fast. Best called on early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and short) when you want to establish tempo and set up play-action shots off Close PA Cross later in the series.
