Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Dive out of Strong I Slot Flex is a straight downhill run play designed to hit the A gap immediately off the snap. The offensive line blocks straight ahead with the fullback leading through the hole to pick up the first defender in the box, while the HB takes a quick handoff and reads the point of attack behind the center and guard. This is a pure gap scheme run play, not a man or zone beater in the passing sense, and the primary read progression for the ball carrier is one cut: press the mesh point, read the fullback's block, and explode through whichever crease opens between the guards.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is in a 4-3 or 3-4 front since a plugged nose tackle or shaded defensive tackle in the A gap can blow this play up immediately. Watch linebacker depth: linebackers creeping to within three yards of the line signal a run blitz that will beat the fullback's lead block before the hole develops. Post-snap, key the middle linebacker's first step; if he fills downhill without hesitation the dive has no room, but if he bites on run fake tendencies from the play-action pairings in this set he will overrun the gap. Man coverage on the perimeter does not directly affect this inside run, but a single high safety shell (Cover 1 or Cover 3) leaves fewer defenders in the box and is the ideal shell to attack. Cover 2 or heavy blitz packages with extra defensive linemen stacked inside are the toughest looks against HB Dive since they clog the interior gaps before the fullback can seal his block.
Usage Tips
Use HB Dive in short yardage and third and one situations where defenses are more likely to sit in base personnel with linebackers stacked tight to the line. Check the defensive box count pre-snap; if there are seven or fewer defenders in the box, this play has a strong numbers advantage for the run. Pair HB Dive with PA Power O and PA Boot Slide from the same set so the play-action looks identical at the snap and forces linebackers to hesitate on their run fits. Avoid calling this into heavy blitz looks with extra defenders showing in the A and B gaps since there is no time to develop the fullback lead block. Mix HB Dive with Counter Weak and HB Sweep to keep the defense guessing between quick hitters and misdirection runs off the same Strong I look.
