Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Slash is a power run out of Singleback Bunch with 11 personnel, showing a tight bunch alignment to one side and an isolated receiver split wide. The blocking scheme pulls power protection through the point of attack with the fullback or lead blocker kicking out the edge defender while the offensive line drives down blocks inside, sealing off tackle running lanes. This is a run play designed to hit off tackle, and the primary read progression starts with the play side defensive end or outside linebacker to decide between the standard power lane and a bounce path if the edge gets sealed.
Defensive Reads
Watch the pre-snap linebacker depth, if they are sitting shallow at four yards or closer they can fill the off tackle lane before the kickout block gets set. Identify the play side defensive end alignment, a wide nine technique creates a bigger bounce lane outside while a tight five technique forces the ball back inside. Look for safety rotation toward the bunch side pre-snap, this often signals extra run support that can outnumber the blocking scheme at the point of attack. Man coverage with press corners on the bunch receivers tends to leave fewer underneath run defenders, making this a good man beater situation for the ground game. Watch for a user-controlled linebacker sitting in the hole post-snap, if he reads the pulling blocker quickly and fills downhill this play gets shut down before it develops.
Usage Tips
Run this play from under center feel with the bunch formation to disguise run intent since the tight alignment often draws linebackers up before the snap.
Check the box count before the snap and only run HB Slash into six or fewer defenders in the box, otherwise check to a pass out of the same Bunch formation.
Use the fullback or lead blocker as your key blocker and manually user him into the alley defender if a linebacker fills fast, this gives you control over the kickout block.
Pair HB Slash with HB Slam and HB Draw from the same Bunch set so the defense cannot key run direction based on formation alone.
This play works best on early downs, especially first and second and short, since defenses expecting pass out of Bunch personnel groupings are more susceptible to the off tackle lane.
