Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Toss out of Singleback Trio is a pure outside-zone run play, lined up in 11 personnel with the RB offset and the play design pitching the ball wide to attack the edge before the defense can flow. The diagram shows the entire offensive line and TE releasing to reach block toward the sideline, with the RB taking a lateral toss and pressing the perimeter, giving him the option to bounce outside or cut upfield off the edge defender's leverage. There is no route tree shown here since this is strictly a run concept, and the primary read is the RB reading his edge blocks (TE and pulling tackle) to decide whether to bounce it outside or cut it up inside the alley.
Defensive Reads
Watch for defensive ends and edge rushers with contain assignments since disciplined edge defenders who stay home can blow this play up before it develops. Look for overshifted fronts or blitz packages that vacate the edge, since Toss is designed to exploit exactly that gap. Key on linebacker flow. If linebackers are flowing hard downhill immediately at the snap, that is a sign the defense recognizes run and the RB should be ready to cut it back against the grain. Check safety depth before the snap. A safety cheating down into the box signals run support that can erase the edge, while two deep safeties suggest more room to bounce outside. User the playside linebacker or a fast edge defender to string the play out toward the sideline, forcing the RB to make a decision before his blockers are set.
Usage Tips
Use HB Toss against defenses that are stacking the interior or showing heavy A and B gap blitz looks since the play design outruns quick pressure up the middle.
Check the numbers on the edge pre-snap. If the defense has walked a linebacker or safety outside to the point of attack, be ready to cut the run back inside rather than forcing it outside.
Pair this play with HB Dive and HB Zone Wk in your play-calling sequence so the defense cannot key on outside zone alone. Running Toss early sets up inside runs later when defenders start over-pursuing to the edge.
Avoid calling this on short yardage or in the red zone against fast-flowing linebackers since the extra time it takes for the RB to get to the edge gives pursuit defenders time to close.
User the pulling lineman or lead blocker with the right stick to help clear the edge defender if the CPU blocker whiffs, especially against contain-based fronts.
