Playbooks
Mtn HB Power is a gap scheme run play out of Singleback U Off Trips Cluster that pulls the backside guard (or fullback substitute depending on personnel) to lead through the hole for the running back. The offensive line down blocks to create a wall on the play side while the puller kicks out or wraps to the second level, giving the back a designed crease between the tackle and tight end. Primary read progression for the ball carrier is to press the point of attack, read the puller's block, and decide between the called hole, a bounce outside, or a cutback lane if the backside pursuit overflows.
Pre-snap, identify the number of defenders in the box and whether the defense is in a base 4-3 or 3-4 front, since light boxes with two high safeties are prime power run fits. Key the play side linebacker depth. If linebackers are sitting at five yards or deeper in a two high shell, that usually signals soft run support and a bigger crease for the puller. Watch for a user controlled defender crashing down hard off the edge or shooting the play side gap early, which is the biggest threat to blow up the pulling lineman before he reaches the second level. Post-snap, track the backside linebacker's pursuit angle. Overaggressive flow to the play side call opens a natural cutback lane behind the puller. This concept struggles against stacked eight man fronts with heavy blitz packages or a well timed nano blitz off the edge, since it removes the puller's ability to get depth and reach the linebacker before he penetrates.
Run this out of 12 personnel on early downs to keep defenses honest against a run heavy trips look and set up your play action shots later in the drive.
Check the box count before the snap. If the defense has six or more in the box, consider audibling to Mtn HB Draw or bouncing to HB Toss Lt instead of forcing the power look into a loaded front.
Use the pulling guard as your primary blocking key. If the linebacker flowing to meet the puller gets skinny or over pursues, cut the back back away from the flow for a home run cutback.
Pair this play with PA Boot or PA Boot Slide off the same personnel and formation look so linebackers who key run flow get frozen or sucked up, opening up the boot action off the same power blocking steps.
Best called on second and short or first and ten when you want to establish tempo, and it is especially effective against defenses that have shown a lot of nickel or dime sub packages since it forces smaller personnel to fit a gap scheme run.