Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
FB Belly is a power run play out of the Pro Split Backs formation with 21 personnel, designed to attack off tackle or bounce into the hole depending on flow. The fullback leads through the hole ahead of the halfback, who takes the handoff and reads the down blocks from the line before deciding whether to hit it inside or bounce outside for the off tackle look. This is a downhill run scheme built on numbers and gap control rather than deception, so it is a run beater against light boxes and overaggressive linebacker flow rather than a zone or man passing concept.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is in a base 4-3 or 3-4 look with linebackers stacked tight, since heavy fronts with extra defenders in the box will clog the dive lane and the off tackle bounce. Watch safety depth before the snap, because a single high safety cheating down into the box signals run support and makes this play harder to hit for positive yardage. Post-snap, key the play side linebacker's first step: if he flows hard downhill to fill the dive gap, the halfback should bounce it outside off the fullback's lead block for the off tackle cutback. Beware defenses that run inside blitzes or A gap pressure packages, since FB Belly's blocking scheme is vulnerable to penetration before the fullback can get to his lead block point. If the user defender abandons contain to crash the dive, this play gets exposed on the edge, so look for that leverage mistake and bounce outside immediately.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and only run FB Belly into light fronts with six or fewer defenders in the box, since this is a gap scheme run that needs a numbers advantage to hit. Use manual control on the fullback lead blocker to seal the first threat off the edge and create the cutback lane for the halfback. Mix this run with HB Off Tackle and Power O from the same formation so linebackers cannot key run direction off your personnel or splits, then sprinkle in PA Slide or TE Sail F Flat to punish defenders who start crashing downhill on run fits. This play works best on early downs (first and second down) or short yardage third downs where you want to establish tempo and set up your play-action shots later in the drive. Against user defenders spying the fullback, consider audibling to Power O instead since the blocking angles are similar but the lead blocker assignment changes.
