Playbooks
HB Wk Toss
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Wk Toss is a weakside toss run out of Singleback U Off Stack that gets the ball to the flank quickly, attacking the edge away from the tight end strength. The blocking scheme relies on the fullback or offset TE and the offside tackle pulling to seal the edge, with the playside guard climbing to the second level to pick off the first flowing linebacker. This is a pure run play with no play-action or RPO element, and the primary read progression is bounce versus bang: identify whether the edge defender gets kicked out cleanly, then decide to bounce the run outside the pulling blocker or cut it up inside the guard's block if the alley is sealed.
Defensive Reads
Identify the weakside edge defender's alignment pre-snap, since wide 9 techniques or crashing ends can blow up the pulling blocker before the kick out is set. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, downhill run fits from linebackers stacked tight to the line will beat this play if they diagnose toss action fast and flow outside quickly. Key the strong safety and cornerback on the weak side for run support, since aggressive safety fills or corner blitzes off the edge can string the play out for a loss. Look for user controlled defenders spying the pulling linemen, a smart user lurking outside can jump the toss before the blockers get a hand on him. This play struggles against overload fronts and heavy blitz packages sent to the weak side, but it beats base zone fronts and defenses that overpursue the strongside run threats in this set.
Usage Tips
Check the defensive front before the snap and look for light boxes with six or fewer defenders, since toss plays lose value against heavy fronts stacked with extra linebackers or safeties in the box.
Attack weakside contain with speed at the HB position, this play is designed for backs with high acceleration and agility to threaten the edge before the defense can rotate flow.
Use motion or a hard count to bait linebackers into flowing early, then let the pulling blockers clean up overaggressive defenders who shoot gaps too fast.
Pair this play with Inside Zone and Duo Wrap in the same set so defenses cannot key on the outside toss look, forcing linebackers to hesitate on downhill fits.
Save HB Wk Toss for second and short or first down situations early in a series, then set up HB Counter Str later to attack overcommitted edge defenders once film shows them crashing hard on the toss.
