Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Slam Mtn is a downhill dive run out of Singleback Ace 12 personnel, with pre-snap motion bringing a receiver in jet action across the formation before the snap to influence flow. The offensive line executes a slam blocking scheme up front, with the fullback or attached tight end climbing to the second level while the running back takes a tight downhill path directly off the center's outside hip. This is a run play with no route combos to beat man or zone coverage, so the primary read progression is the running back reading the initial double team or down block at the point of attack, then working off the second level linebacker fit before deciding to bang the run inside or bounce it based on the flow of the linebackers.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, count the box defenders after the jet motion crosses the formation, if a linebacker or safety follows the motion man, that is a strong indicator of man coverage principles and a lighter box. Look for defensive tackles shading toward the play side A or B gap, since slam blocking schemes are most effective when the interior line can climb rather than fight penetration. Watch the middle linebacker's depth and shuffle, if he stays flat footed reading the mesh point, this run will have a tougher time than against linebackers who overreact to the jet motion. User controlled defenders spying the running back or sitting in the hole between the guard and tackle can blow this play up before it develops, so avoid this concept versus aggressive user blitzers stacking the box. Heavy blitz packages with extra defenders crashing downhill pre-snap can overwhelm the slam scheme's numbers, so have a quick game or hot route answer ready if you see max pressure looks.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap jet motion to identify if the defense shifts a linebacker or defensive back to follow, which tells you if you are facing man principles or a base run fit.
This play works best on early downs like first and second and short yardage situations where defenses are not selling out to stop explosive pass plays.
If the defense stacks the box with extra linebackers or crashes a safety down after the motion, check to a play-action shot play like PA Post Dig or PA Shot Post to punish the aggression.
Pair this play with HB Dive and HB Stretch in the same personnel grouping so the defense cannot key on formation tendencies and has to respect both inside and outside run threats.
Take manual control of your fullback or blocking tight end at the snap to help finish the slam block on a stubborn defensive tackle if the AI blocker gets beat.
