Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Power O out of Singleback Toad X Nasty is a gap scheme run play that pulls the backside guard through the frontside hole to lead block for the HB, while the offensive line down blocks to seal the interior. The lone TE and tackles create a wall to the play side, and the HB takes a slight angle step before pressing downhill behind the pulling guard. This is a power run play, not a man or zone beater in the passing sense, and the primary read progression for the ball carrier is: read the down blocks first, key the pulling guard's kick out or lead block on the first threat past the line of scrimmage, then decide to bend it back if the backside cutback lane opens.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a stacked box pre-snap, if the Mike and both outside linebackers are within four yards of the line, the defense is selling run and may be sitting on the pull. A 4-3 under front with the Sam crashing hard off the edge can blow up the kick out block, so key the frontside end man on the line before committing to the play. Zone coverages with light boxes, like a 4-2-5 nickel look, are the best defensive shells to attack with this run since fewer bodies are stacked inside. If the defense shows a user-controlled linebacker sitting in the hole reading the guard's pull, expect him to shoot the gap and disrupt the lead block, so be ready to bounce it outside. A well timed A gap or B gap blitz can beat the pulling guard to the point of attack before he gets set, which is the biggest post-snap threat to this concept.
Usage Tips
Run this play on early downs like 1st and 10 or 2nd and short to stay ahead of the sticks and keep defenses honest.
Check the box count before the snap, if the defense has six or more in the box against 11 personnel, consider audibling to HB Dive or a quick pass instead.
User the pulling guard briefly after the snap to help seal an unblocked defender, then release control to the HB for the vision cut once the hole develops.
Pair this with PA Counter or Mtn PA Boot Insert Cross from the same set so linebackers who key on the pulling guard get frozen by the play-action fake.
Against aggressive user blitzers, hot route the TE to a chip block if he is not needed as a lead blocker so he can help pick up a stunt off the edge.
