Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn HB Draw is a Singleback Spread run play out of 10 personnel that uses HB motion into the backfield before the snap to disguise the handoff. The offensive line shows pass protection at the snap to draw the pass rush upfield while the receivers run a vertical clear out on the outside and a deep post to occupy the safeties, opening up the interior running lanes. This is a run play designed to punish overaggressive pass rush and blitz-heavy defenses, with the primary read progression being the playside guard and center double team at the point of attack, then bouncing outside off the fullback or lead blocker if the inside lanes are clogged.
Defensive Reads
Key the middle linebacker and any blitzing linebackers pre-snap, since this play is designed to exploit aggressive blitz packages that rush upfield. Watch for defensive ends and outside linebackers selling out on the pass rush, as their upfield momentum creates the cutback lane this play is built to hit. If the defense shows a two-high safety shell with linebackers sitting in zone drops rather than crashing, the draw has less room to develop and can be shut down by disciplined gap control. User the middle linebacker or a lurking safety and stay home instead of biting on the draw action to blow this play up before the HB reaches the line. Look for defenses in man coverage with blitz packages, since man concepts often mean fewer eyes in the box and a faster read for the HB once he gets the ball.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to bait linebackers into flowing with the HB before he settles back into the draw, this can freeze a defender who is keying the backfield.
Call this on early downs or in obvious passing situations like second and long, since the draw action plays off defenses expecting a drop back pass with four verticals or comebacks in the same personnel.
Identify blitz-heavy fronts pre-snap, since the delayed handoff lets extra rushers overrun the pocket and creates a clean cutback lane for the HB.
Pair this with 60 Go or Four Verticals from the same Singleback Spread formation so the defense has to respect the deep passing threat before you dial up the draw.
Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they are sitting shallow in zone rather than blitzing, consider switching to HB Dive or Wide Zone instead since the draw loses value against a patient front seven.
