Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Off Tackle out of Strong I Close (21 personnel) is a downhill run play that attacks the strong side edge with the fullback and tight end leading the way. The diagram shows the HB taking a slight angled path toward the strong side hole before bending upfield off the tackle box, with the line executing down blocks and the FB kicking out or leading through the hole. This is a base run play with no route combos or play-action window, designed to beat light boxes and overaggressive linebacker flow with a north-south downhill hit. Primary read progression is patience at the mesh point: find the edge crease first, then cut back inside if the defense flows too hard to the strong side.
Defensive Reads
Watch the strong side defensive end and outside linebacker pre-snap to see if they are squeezing the edge, which signals a crash call meant to blow up off tackle runs. Identify whether the defense is in a run-fit heavy front like 46 Bear or 4-3 Under, since these fronts stack extra bodies to the strong side and shut down this play. Post-snap, key the flow of the linebackers: if they overpursue toward the strong side hole, the cutback lane opens up behind the FB and TE double team blocks. User-controlled defenders flying downhill fast off the snap can blow this play up before the FB gets a clean kick out block, so respect aggressive user linebacker play with a checkdown mentality. Light boxes with safeties rotated away from the run, especially against single high shells like Cover 3 or Cover 1, are where this play hits hardest since the extra hat is out of the box.
Usage Tips
Check the defensive front pre-snap and look for a 6 or 7 man box before calling this play, since a light box is where off tackle gains the most consistent yardage.
Use motion or a quick pre-snap peek at the strong side edge defender to see if he is crashing hard, which tells you whether to stick with the called hole or set up a cutback.
This play pairs well with Counter Weak in the same set since both hit off tackle and cutback lanes but attack opposite flow tendencies, forcing linebackers to hesitate on run fits.
Best called on early downs (1st and 10, 2nd and short) when you want to stay ahead of the chains and keep the defense honest against your play-action shots like PA Deep Cross or PA Sprint HB Flat.
Avoid this call against stacked box looks with extra defenders creeping down near the line, since the strong side gets clogged fast and there is no receiver outlet to bail you out.
