Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Dive out of Singleback Y Trips TE Slot is a straight downhill run play that sends the HB directly through the A gap immediately after the snap. The offensive line blocks a standard man/gap scheme up front with double team potential at the point of attack, while the trips receiver bunch to the left occupies the second and third level defenders and removes them from the box. This is a pure run play with no play-action or RPO element, and the primary read is simply hitting the interior crease as it opens, with a cutback lane to either A gap as the secondary option based on where the down linemen get movement.
Defensive Reads
Pre snap, count the box defenders, if the defense has rotated a safety down to seven or eight in the box this play has almost no room to work. Check cornerback alignment on the trips side, press man corners jumping the bunch routes often pull an extra defender into coverage responsibility and thin the run fit. Post snap, key the defensive tackles and Mike linebacker fill, if they read dive quickly and squeeze the gap the HB has to bounce outside immediately rather than trying to force it inside. Watch for a user controlled Mike linebacker spying the mesh point, since a good defender can jump the dive read before the back even gets the ball. This play struggles badly against a stacked 4-3 under front or heavy blitz packages that send extra rushers straight through the A and B gaps, but it beats base nickel and dime fronts that are playing pass first out of respect for the trips look.
Usage Tips
Use HB Dive when the defense shows a light box, typically five or fewer defenders, since the trips alignment pulls extra defenders out wide and creates numbers advantages inside. Call this on early downs like first and ten or second and short to stay ahead of the chains and keep the defense honest against your pass heavy trips formation. Watch pre snap for linebacker depth, if the Mike and Will are sitting at normal depth instead of creeping up, that signals they expect pass and the dive can gash them before they react. Pair HB Dive with HB Counter and Power O from this same set so defenders keying on the trips side get punished for flowing too fast, and mix in Four Verticals or PA Slot Cross afterward to keep linebackers from sitting on the run once they see trips personnel. Avoid calling this into stacked eight man fronts or against aggressive nano blitz packages since there is no lead blocker to clean up penetration.
