Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
FB Belly is a power run play out of Split Backs Slot with 21 personnel, designed to hit off tackle with a lead blocker paved through the hole. The diagram shows both the HB and FB starting in the backfield, with the FB taking a slight lead angle into the line to seal the edge while the HB follows behind him on a downhill dive path into the off tackle gap. The offensive line executes down blocks and combo blocks to create a power lane, and the primary read is the HB following the FB's block, reading the point of attack for the crease created by the down blocks and kick out.
Defensive Reads
Base 4-3 and 3-4 fronts with two off ball linebackers are the toughest matchup against FB Belly since they can fill both the A and B gaps quickly. This run struggles against nano blitz packages that send a defender untouched through the play side gap before the FB can get his block set, so watch for overload blitzes pre-snap. Look at safety depth before the snap, if a safety is stacked in the box or shows run blitz on the alert, consider checking to a pass instead. Post-snap, key the play side linebacker's first step, if he flows hard outside to string it out, cut back inside the FB's block for a cutback lane. Man coverage shells with single high safety leave extra run support underneath, so this play works better against zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4 where linebackers are reading routes instead of crashing downhill immediately.
Usage Tips
Check the box count pre-snap and only run this into light boxes of six or fewer defenders to avoid a stacked front. Look for linebackers cheating outside or safeties rotating late since FB Belly is designed to hit downhill through the tackle box before the defense can flow. Use manual control on the FB to adjust his kick out angle in real time if the defense shows an edge blitz or crashes the DE inside. Pair this with HB Inside or FB Dive HB Motion earlier in a drive so the defense commits to stopping quick interior runs, then hit them with the slower hitting Belly concept for a bigger gain. Best used on early downs in normal or heavy run personnel packages when you want to establish tempo and set up play-action off the same look later.
