Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 16 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Dive out of Singleback Tight Y Off is a straight downhill run play that hits the A gap immediately off the snap. The offensive line blocks straight ahead with the center and guards working double teams onto the interior defensive line to create a vertical crease, while the TE stays in to seal the edge. The HB takes a quick handoff and reads the initial hole between the guards, with the primary read being the A gap and a bounce option to either B gap if the defensive line clogs the middle.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth before the snap, if they are sitting shallow at five yards or less they are keying run and will close the A gap fast. Identify whether the defense is in a base 4-3 or 3-4 front, a bigger nose tackle in a 3-4 can eat up the double team and stuff the dive. Look for run blitzes or a nano blitz off the edge, since this play has no answer for immediate backfield penetration. If the safeties are stacked deep in a two-high shell there is likely lighter box support, which favors the dive hitting for positive yardage. Man coverage on the outside with no extra run support in the box is the green light to call this play with confidence.
Usage Tips
Run this play on early downs in short yardage or when you need to establish tempo and keep the defense honest against your play-action shots in this set. Check the box count before the snap: if the defense has six or fewer defenders in the box you have a numbers advantage up front. Use motion or a hard count to bait linebackers into shooting gaps early, which opens up the cutback lane. Pair this with PA Deep Cross or PA Boot Slide later in a series once the defense starts creeping linebackers up to respect the dive. Avoid calling this into stacked box looks with an extra defender in the alley unless you have a clear favorable matchup on the interior line.
