Playbooks
Power O out of the Strong I H Wing formation is a gap scheme run play built to move the defensive front with a lead blocker and a pulling guard. The play side guard pulls across the formation to kick out or seal the edge defender while the fullback leads through the hole for the linebacker, and the H Wing adds an extra blocker to the strong side to overload the point of attack. This is a run play, not a pass concept, so the primary read progression for the ball carrier is patience behind the pulling guard, then pressing the hole created by the fullback's lead block before bouncing outside if the defense is overset inside.
Watch for a stacked box with eight or more defenders, since that signals the defense is selling out to stop the run and Power O will struggle to find a clean lane. Identify if the defense is running a 46 or heavy front with the nose shaded to the play side gap, since this can clog the pulling guard's path and force a bounce outside. Key the play side linebacker's depth at the snap, if he is sitting tight to the line expecting run he can beat the fullback's kick out block and blow up the play in the backfield. Look for user-controlled defenders spying the pulling guard or crashing down hard off the edge, since that is the biggest threat to Power O's blocking scheme and often signals a run blitz. Man coverage shells with single high safety and light boxes are the most exploitable look for this play since the extra H Wing blocker creates a clean numbers advantage against fewer run defenders.
Run Power O when you see base 4-3 or 3-4 fronts without extra defenders stacked in the box, since the extra blockers from 22 personnel and the H Wing give you a numbers advantage at the point of attack.
Check the defensive alignment pre-snap for a shaded nose or 3 technique on the play side, since that tells you whether the pulling guard needs to kick out or wrap further inside.
Use motion or a hard count to bait the linebackers into showing blitz or crashing down, which opens up the cutback lane behind the fullback's lead block.
Pair Power O with PA Power O in your play-calling sequence so the defense has to respect the same blocking action on early downs, setting up explosive shot plays off the identical run fake.
Stick to running Power O on early downs or short yardage situations where defenses are more likely to sit in base personnel instead of nickel or dime looks that remove blockers from your run fits.
Vary between HB Cntr Wk and Power O from the same formation to keep linebackers guessing on which gap the pulling linemen will attack.