Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Dive Weak out of the Strong I Close formation (21 personnel) is a straight downhill run play that hits the weakside gap between the center and weakside guard. The diagram shows the HB taking a direct handoff and cutting toward the weakside A gap while the FB leads through the same gap to seal off the first threat, with the offensive line executing down blocks to create a natural crease. This is a run play designed to punish light boxes and overaggressive weakside pursuit, with the primary read being the weakside A gap first and then bouncing outside if the interior is clogged.
Defensive Reads
Watch for stacked weakside linebackers or a shaded 3 technique, since this immediately clogs the dive lane and kills the play before it starts. If the defense is in a base 4-3 or 4-2-5 with even box numbers, this play has a strong chance to hit since the FB lead block can handle the first unblocked defender. Look for user-controlled defenders flowing hard to the strong side pre-snap, since that leaves the weakside A gap thin and vulnerable to a quick hitting dive. Man coverage shells with no extra run support (single high safety cheating toward pass coverage) are ideal since the linebackers have to respect their man assignments and are slower to fill the gap. Beware of a weakside A gap blitz or a linebacker crashing down pre-snap, as that defender is unblocked and can blow up the dive for a loss if the FB cannot get to him in time.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, count the defenders in the box and only run this into 6 or fewer men to avoid getting stacked at the line.
Use this play on early downs (1st and 10, 2nd and short) to stay ahead of the chains and keep the defense honest against your outside run game.
If the defense shows a heavy shade toward the strong side, this weakside dive becomes a great counter since blockers get an angle advantage away from the extra defender.
Pair this with HB Dive (strong side) and Counter Weak from the same set so defenders cannot key on flow direction, forcing linebackers to hesitate on their run fits.
Use manual control on the FB after the snap to seal off a blitzing linebacker if the pre-snap read shows a weakside blitz coming.
