Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 12 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Dive out of Singleback Wing Tight Z is a straight downhill run play with the HB taking the handoff and pressing the A gap behind the center. The offensive line blocks a standard man/gap scheme up front, sealing the interior defensive line to create a vertical crease for the HB to burst through. This is a pure run play with no route concept attached, designed to attack light boxes and pick up tough yardage north and south rather than beat man or zone coverage.
Defensive Reads
Diagnose the box count before the snap, since HB Dive struggles hard against eight man fronts or heavy blitz packages sent up the middle. Watch the linebacker depth: if the Mike and Will are creeping to the line pre-snap, this play gets blown up quickly and you should audible out. This run play is stopped cold by A gap or interior nano blitzes since there is no lead blocker to account for extra rushers. It beats light boxes and defenses that are spread out in nickel or dime personnel expecting pass on early downs. Post-snap, key on whether the defensive tackles are getting doubled or if a linebacker is flowing downhill unblocked, since that unblocked defender dictates whether the HB should cut away from the called gap.
Usage Tips
Check the box count pre-snap and only call HB Dive when you see six or fewer defenders in the box, since this play has no answer if the defense stacks the middle. Use it on short yardage and goal line situations where you need one or two yards and want to avoid negative plays from outside runs getting strung out. Pair it with HB Power O and HB Counter Wk from the same set so the defense has to respect both the quick interior hit and the pulling guard misdirection. Mix in Fake HB Zone QB Boot Lt or PA Middle off similar formation tendencies to keep linebackers from sitting on the dive read. User the fullback or lead blocker if available to seal the first second level defender and manually pick your lane rather than trusting the CPU blocking angle every time.
