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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
HB Draw out of Singleback Doubles Y-Slot Close is a designed delay run that shows dropback pass protection at the snap before handing the ball off to the HB, who steps up and follows his blockers through the middle of the line. The diagram shows all five offensive linemen holding their pass-blocking sets to sell the play fake while the HB takes a short lateral step before cutting upfield through the vacated interior lanes. This is a pure run play designed to counter aggressive pass rushes and blitzes, with the primary read being the HB identifying the first clean crease off the fullback or guard leverage, patiently pressing the line before exploding through the gap the defense's rush momentum has opened up.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check linebacker depth: if they are stacked tight to the line of scrimmage in an aggressive run-blitz look, this draw can get gashed if you do not have a spy or a linebacker reading through the mesh point. Watch the defensive ends and tackles for hard pass rush jumps off the snap, since a disciplined interior defensive lineman who stays home and reads the mesh point will blow this play up immediately. User a linebacker or safety to sit in the box and mirror the HB's lateral movement instead of biting on the pass-blocking sell, taking away the natural draw cutback lane. Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with linebackers who trigger downhill quickly are the best counters, since they close running lanes before the offensive line can climb to the second level. Man coverage with blitzing linebackers is the most vulnerable shell to this play, since defenders are turning their backs to the box in coverage and blitzers are shooting upfield past the mesh point.
Usage Tips
Call this play on early downs or in obvious passing situations like second and long to exploit defenses that are keying pass rush or dropping into coverage shells.
Watch for defensive linemen crashing hard off the edge or blitzing linebackers, since their forward momentum creates the natural cutback lanes this draw is designed to hit.
Pair HB Draw with Four Verticals or Switch X Comeback from the same set so the defense has to respect the deep pass threat, making them slower to read the draw action.
Manually control the HB after the handoff and press the hole rather than juking immediately, letting your linemen climb to the second level before making your cut.
Avoid calling this against disciplined defenses sitting in a two deep shell with linebackers reading run first, since they will fill the interior gaps before the blockers can seal them.
