Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Dive out of Singleback Bunch X Nasty is a straight downhill run play with the bunch alignment to one side and a nasty split tight end tightened to the formation for extra run support at the point of attack. The offensive line blocks a standard dive scheme, with the center and guards climbing to the second level while the HB takes a direct handoff and reads the interior gap. This is a pure run play designed to punish light boxes and attack the A or B gap quickly, with the primary read being the initial gap based on the flow of the defensive tackles and Mike linebacker.
Defensive Reads
Diagnose the defensive tackle alignment pre-snap, since shaded tackles in the A gaps will clog the dive lane immediately. Watch the Mike linebacker depth at the snap, a downhill Mike who beats the guard's climb block will blow this run up for a loss. Identify if the defense is in man coverage on the bunch, since that often pulls extra defenders away from the box and creates a numbers advantage inside. Key on user-controlled defensive linemen shooting gaps, as a disciplined user player crashing down the middle is the biggest threat to this concept. Look for base 4-3 or 3-4 fronts with only six in the box, since those alignments are the most vulnerable to the dive hitting quickly through the interior.
Usage Tips
Check the defensive front pre-snap and only call this against six man boxes or lighter, since the dive has no answer if extra defenders are stacked inside.
Use the bunch alignment to bait linebackers into widening out for pass coverage, which opens up the inside run lanes for the dive.
Pair HB Dive with Cheat HB Slash or HB Zone Wk in the same set so defenders cannot key on run tendencies just from the bunch look.
Run this on early downs in normal or ace personnel situations to stay on schedule and set up play-action shots like PA Boot or PA Counter later in the series.
If the defense shows a stacked box or crashing defensive end, consider audibling to HB Slam or Counter Y instead of forcing the dive into a bad gap.
