Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
HB Toss Weak lines up out of Singleback Wing Flex Close with 12 personnel, and the diagram shows the HB tossed the ball to the weak side away from the tight end alignment, with the offensive line flowing to seal the edge and create a running lane outside. This is a pure run play designed to attack the weak side edge with outside leverage, using the offensive line and blockers to get to the perimeter before the HB turns the corner. The primary read progression starts with the edge defender's leverage, then the alley defender (safety or linebacker filling from depth), and finally cutback lanes if the edge is sealed and pursuit overruns the play.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify the strength of the defensive front and locate the weak side edge defender, since this play attacks away from the tight end surface. Watch linebacker depth: if linebackers are sitting close to the line expecting an inside run, they will struggle to flow fast enough to the weak side toss. Post-snap, key the contain defender on the weak side edge. If he squeezes down the line too fast, the HB can bounce it outside for a big gain. This play gets shut down by disciplined edge defenders who maintain outside leverage and force the ball back inside to pursuit. Beware of a user-controlled linebacker flying downhill to the weak side flow, since a well-timed defensive user can blow up the toss before the blockers get set. Look for safety rotation to the weak side pre-snap, since an extra defender in the alley can erase the cutback lane and the perimeter both.
Usage Tips
Use this play against defenses showing light boxes or when linebackers are stacked inside expecting inside zone or dive concepts.
Check the edge defender's alignment pre-snap: if the defensive end or outside linebacker is crashing hard inside, this toss weak play has a clean lane to the perimeter.
Pair this with HB Dive or Inside Zone Split from the same set to keep defenders honest on inside run fits before hitting them with the outside toss.
On early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and short), this play punishes overaggressive fronts that sell out for inside runs.
If the defense shows a fast flowing linebacker crew or edge defenders that consistently set the edge, mix in Jet Sweep or PA Jet Sweep from this set to manipulate the same perimeter defenders differently.
Avoid calling this into stacked run fits with extra defenders in the box unless you have a clear numbers advantage on the edge.
