Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Blunt Dive is a straight downhill run out of Singleback Ace 12 personnel, with the HB aligned directly behind the QB and lined up to hit the A gap immediately after the snap. The offensive line fires off with a base blocking scheme designed to seal the interior gaps and get vertical movement on the down linemen, with the two TEs providing extra beef at the point of attack for double team opportunities. This is a pure run play with no play-action or route combos attached, and the primary read progression for the HB is to press the mesh point, read the initial double team block up front, and decide between hitting the called A gap or bouncing to the backside cutback lane if the frontside gets clogged.
Defensive Reads
Watch for linebacker depth at the snap, if the Mike and Will are sitting shallow and crashing hard on run fits, this play will get stuffed quickly since there is no misdirection to hold them. This run beats light boxes and even fronts where the interior defensive line is spread out, since the double team blocks can generate immediate movement. Heavy blitz packages and stacked fronts with extra defenders in the box shut this down fast, since Blunt Dive has no cutback design built to punish overpursuit. Post snap, key on whether the defensive tackle gets doubled cleanly, if the double team block is beaten off the snap, the HB will have nowhere to go and should expect a short gain or loss. Look for user-controlled defenders flowing downhill immediately at the snap, aggressive human players who shoot gaps can blow this play up before the back even reaches the line of scrimmage.
Usage Tips
Use this play in short yardage and goal line situations where you need a quick, decisive gain without exposing the backfield to negative plays.
Check the defensive front pre-snap for a stacked box, if you see eight or more defenders in the box, consider audibling to a play-action shot play instead since the run lanes will be too congested.
Pair this with HB Dive and HB Slam from the same set to keep defenders guessing on tempo and gap selection, since all three hit downhill but attack slightly different lanes.
On the stick, mash through the initial hole quickly since Blunt Dive does not have a lot of tools for improvisation, patience beyond the first read usually gets you tackled for a minimal gain.
Use this as a base run to set up PA Boot Roll or PA Ctr Waggle later in a series, since the aggressive downhill action sells the run fake and freezes linebackers on the play-action.
