Playbooks
Power O is a gap scheme run play out of Weak I 20 personnel that pulls the backside guard through a designated lane created by down blocks from the play side line and a lead block from the fullback. The primary read is the pulling guard, hit the hole he opens off the double team at the point of attack, and be ready to bounce outside if the backside linebacker flows too fast. This is a run play, not a man or zone beater, and it works best against light boxes or defenses that show pass shells pre-snap.
Pre-snap, identify the strong safety depth and whether he is cheating into the box, since Power O struggles against eight man fronts. Watch the defensive end and outside linebacker on the play side, if they crash down hard they can blow up the pulling guard before he reaches the hole. Post-snap, key the middle linebacker's flow, if he reads the pull and fills fast the ball carrier needs to cut it back against the grain. This run beats base 4-3 and 3-4 fronts that stay in a two high shell pre-snap because it forces the safety to be the extra tackler. Defenses that run cover 0 or cover 1 with an extra man in the box and a user controlled linebacker sitting on the mesh point will shut this play down quickly.
Check the box count before the snap and only run Power O into six or fewer defenders in the box for a clean numbers advantage.
Use the fullback lead block as your visual key, follow him through the hole and trust the pulling guard to seal the edge defender or linebacker.
Pair this with PA Power O in your play calling sequence so the defense has to respect the run fake, opening up the play action shot plays later in the set.
Run this on early downs in normal distance to stay on schedule and set up second and short or third and short situations.
If the defense shows a stacked box or crashes the edge with a nano blitz, audible to HB Stretch or bounce the play outside using the left stick to avoid the pulling guard getting beat to the spot.