Playbooks
HB Pump Draw out of Singleback Y Trips Close is a delayed run play designed to look like a pass drop before handing the ball off to the HB. The quarterback shows a brief pump fake or pass set to freeze linebackers and get defensive linemen up field, while the offensive line sells pass protection before engaging in run blocking at the point of attack. This is a run play built to punish aggressive pass rush and overzealous linebacker blitzes, with the primary read being the initial flow of the defensive line and second level defenders during the fake before identifying the natural running lane created by their misdirection.
Identify blitz heavy fronts pre snap since overloaded pass rush lanes create wider cutback opportunities for the HB Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they bite hard on the pump fake and flow toward pass coverage responsibilities the middle of the field opens up Man coverage shells with aggressive corner press tend to leave extra run support light, making this an effective man beater when paired with the pass action Zone shells with deep half safeties rotating away from the box can also be exploited if the defensive line gets up field on the pass rush Beware of defenses that stay disciplined with a spy or a linebacker sitting in the hole, since this will clog the natural running lane and shut down the draw before it develops
Call this on early downs or in second and medium to third and short situations where the defense expects a quick pass out of trips formation
Watch pre snap for stacked boxes or blitz packages since aggressive fronts bite harder on the pump action and open bigger cutback lanes
Use this play after establishing pass tendency from Y Trips Close, mixing in Curls X-Choice or WR Screen first so the defense respects the pass and sells out on the fake
Avoid calling this against disciplined defenses that key the backfield instead of the receivers, since spy linebackers or gap sound fronts can diagnose the draw quickly
Pair this with Mesh or Smash in your play calling sequence to keep defenders honest on underneath zones, then hit them with the delayed hand off when they jump the short pass