Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Power O out of Singleback Trips is a gap scheme run play with the HB aligned offset behind the QB, taking a hard-angled path into the play side A or B gap behind pulling blockers. The three trips receivers to the play's weak side run vertical routes purely to hold corners and safeties deep, keeping the box light for the run front. This is a straightforward power run play, not a play-action look or RPO, and the primary read is the play side double team and puller, with the HB reading the kickout block first before pressing the crease off the down blocks.
Defensive Reads
Watch the linebacker depth and shade before the snap since Power O relies on getting a hat on the play side linebacker before he can flow. Check safety alignment: single high shells with safeties respecting the trips vertical releases leave light boxes that this run scheme is designed to exploit. Post-snap, key the play side defensive end and outside linebacker reaction to the puller, since a fast scrape exchange or edge set can blow up the kickout block. User-controlled defenders flying downhill from depth or a Mike linebacker fast diagnosing the pulling guard are the biggest threats to this run, so disguised blitzes or run commits up the middle shut it down quickly. Stacked boxes with 8 defenders and press corners ignoring the trips vertical routes signal the defense is selling out on the run, which should force a check to a play-action or screen from this same set.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and only run this into 6 or fewer defenders in the box since the trips set pulls one extra defender out wide if the defense respects the vertical releases.
Use your fullback or puller as the direct read: press the line of scrimmage hard, let the double team wall off the first level, then cut off the kick out block if the edge is sealed.
This play pairs well with HB Dive and HB Zone Wk since the mirrored initial steps sell the same run action and keep defenders honest between gap and zone fits.
Call this in early down and short to medium distance situations where defenses are likely to play base personnel instead of stacking the box with extra DBs.
If the defense shows a hard crash or scrapes linebackers fast to the play side, sequence this with a run pass option or bootleg off the same look next series to punish overaggressive fits.
