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Breakdown
HB Blast Alert X Smoke is an Iso power run out of Strong I Wing with a built in Alert audible that throws a bubble screen to the X receiver if you diagnose an overloaded box or aggressive edge pressure. The base run sends the fullback and blocking wing to lead through the hole for the halfback on an inside iso path, using the fullback as a lead blocker to seal the first linebacker to show. The diagram shows the X receiver's Alert route as a quick smoke screen outside, giving the quarterback a bail out throw before the snap if the defense stacks the box. Primary read progression is pre snap: check the box count and if it is not favorable for the iso run, alert to the X Smoke for a free access throw against overplayed run fits.
Defensive Reads
Watch the box count before the snap, if there are seven or more defenders stacked inside expect the smoke alert rather than the iso run. Key the flat defender over the X receiver, if a cornerback or safety is sitting underneath at five yards or less the smoke throw is covered and the offense will likely stick with the run. Identify linebacker depth at the snap, shallow linebackers crashing downhill on run flow are vulnerable to the smoke screen if the quarterback checks it late. User the play side linebacker to fill the iso gap immediately, a fast trigger from a user controlled defender kills this run before the fullback can seal the block. Blitz packages that bring extra defenders off the edge can be exploited by the smoke alert, so spy or drop a defender into the flat if you suspect the offense will bail to the screen.
Usage Tips
Use the Alert to X Smoke whenever you see six or more defenders in the box or a linebacker cheating downhill before the snap, this turns a bad run look into a free five to seven yard gain.
Run the base Iso when the defense shows a light box or the cornerback over the X is playing deep with no underdog support on the flat, this sets up easy blocking angles for the fullback.
Pair this play with FB Dive and Mtn Power O in the same series to keep defenders guessing between gap schemes, then hit HB Blast Alert X Smoke to counter aggressive linebacker flow.
Save this play for third and short or first and ten situations where defenses expect heavy run personnel to stay on the ground, the smoke alert punishes overcommitted run defense.
Motion check the wing before the snap, if the defense shifts a linebacker over the wing you know man coverage or an extra run blitzer is coming, favor the smoke alert in that case.
