Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Power O out of Singleback Y Trips (11 personnel) is a downhill gap scheme run play with the fullback or guard pulling to lead through the hole while the offensive line blocks down to create a wall on the play side. The diagram shows the HB taking a slight lead step before receiving the handoff and pressing the point of attack behind the pulling blocker, with the trips receivers and backside TE simply running off their defenders rather than running a route combo. This is a pure run play, not a play-action or RPO, so the primary read is the pulling blocker: press the hole, read the kickout or lead block on the play side defensive end or linebacker, and cut off that block based on how the defense flows.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify the box count and safety depth; a single high safety with two off corners means the defense is likely selling out to stop the run, so be ready to bail to a pass concept from this set like Curls or Stick. Watch the play side defensive end and outside linebacker alignment; if they are crashing hard down inside pre-snap, that is a sign the defense is keying the pulling blocker and may blow up the play at the mesh point. Post-snap, track the flow of the middle linebacker; if he reads the pull quickly and flows to the play side gap, the cutback lane away from the pull becomes the better option. This play struggles against aggressive gap-shooting fronts and nano blitzes that get penetration before the pulling blocker can reach his target, so avoid calling it into heavy blitz looks. It beats light boxes, base 4-3 or 3-4 looks with linebackers at normal depth, and defenses in nickel packages that are light on defensive linemen up front.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and short) when the defense shows base personnel or a light box with six or fewer defenders in the box.
Check the defensive front pre-snap: if the play side has a stacked DE and an alley defender crashing hard, consider audibling to HB Counter or HB Slip Screen to punish the aggressive read.
Use motion or a quick pre-snap check to see if the defense shifts the box; a shifted linebacker tells you which gap the pulling blocker will actually get to.
Pair this play with PA Power O in your play-calling sequence so the defense has to respect both the run action and the play-action pass out of the identical formation and personnel.
Against user-controlled defenders flying downhill, patience is key: let the pulling blocker climb to the second level before making your cut instead of forcing it into the initial gap.
