Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Crack Toss out of Singleback Bunch X Nasty is a pure run play designed to get the HB the edge with a lead blocker in front. The bunch alignment to one side allows the outside receiver to crack down on the edge defender while the offensive line pulls to seal the perimeter, and the fullback or lead blocker leads through the hole toward the sideline. The primary read is the crack block from the bunch: if the edge defender gets sealed inside, the back presses the toss aggressively, and if the crack is beaten the back has to bounce it outside off the lead blocker.
Defensive Reads
Key the bunch side edge defender first, if he sits outside and boxes in the crack blocker instead of getting cracked down, the toss should be diagnosed and blown up quickly. Watch linebacker flow post-snap, disciplined linebackers who stay home and read the pulling linemen can string this play out and force a cutback into pursuit. Identify safety depth pre-snap, if the play side safety is stacked close to the box he can be an extra run fit defender to erase the crack toss edge advantage. Look for user-controlled defenders spying the crack blocker's angle, a smart user can jump the crack and force the ball carrier to bounce into help. This run struggles against defenses that overload the box with an extra defender to the bunch side, since the numbers advantage the crack block relies on disappears.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs against light boxes where the defense shows six or fewer defenders in the box, since the crack block only works if the edge is not overloaded.
Check the alignment of the bunch side cornerback and force defender pre-snap, if they are sitting outside expecting the crack you may want to check into a different run or motion first.
Use this against aggressive fast flow linebacker defenses that overrun the play, the crack block combined with the lead blocker can spring big yardage if the second level flows too hard.
Pair this with PA Boot or PA Sprint HB Flat from the same set so the defense has to respect the edge run and the play-action rollout off similar formation looks.
Avoid calling this into heavy blitz packages showing extra defenders to the bunch side, since the crack blocker can get overwhelmed and blow up the play in the backfield.
