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Breakdown
Off Tackle out of Singleback Tight Flex 11 personnel is a downhill run play designed to hit off the tackle box between the tight end and offensive tackle. The diagram shows the HB taking a slight angle path from the backfield toward the strong side edge, with the offensive line and TE blocking down to seal the point of attack. This is a pure run play with no route combo to read, so the primary read is the RB's pre-snap gap read followed by a post-snap decision to press the hole or bounce outside based on how the edge defender and linebacker fill.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a strong side defensive end or outside linebacker crashing hard down the line, since that signals an edge blitz or run commit that Off Tackle can bounce outside of. Key the middle linebacker's depth and shade pre-snap, a linebacker stacked tight behind the nose or three technique often means a quick A gap or B gap fill that clogs the intended running lane. Look for safeties rotating down into the box before the snap, a heavy box with eight defenders is a strong signal to abandon this run and check to a pass or screen instead. Man coverage on the perimeter with press corners usually leaves extra run support underneath, so respect the flow of the strong side safety and slot defender when deciding to cut inside or bounce. If the defense shows a nano blitz look with a defensive lineman crashing the exact gap this play attacks, expect a negative play unless the offensive line gets a clean initial punch to reset the line of scrimmage.
Usage Tips
Check the defensive front pre-snap and look for a light box with six or fewer defenders in the tackle to tackle area before committing to this call.
Use motion or a shift to identify if linebackers are flowing hard to one side, which opens the cutback lane on Off Tackle.
Pair this with HB Dive and HB Slam earlier in a drive to establish inside run tendencies, then hit Off Tackle to attack the edge once the defense starts crashing inside.
Best used on early downs, first and second and short to medium yardage, when defenses are more likely to sit in base run fits instead of nickel or dime sub packages.
If the CPU or opponent starts overloading the strong side edge with a run blitz, counter with HB Slip Screen or a play-action shot off this same look to keep them honest.
