Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Draw out of Weak I Close Flex is a designed delay run that shows pass blocking at the snap before the offensive line climbs to the second level to spring the HB up the middle. The diagram shows the QB taking a drop step to sell dropback pass action while the HB slides laterally then presses upfield behind the fullback lead blocker, using the FB as an extra gap blocker on the play side. This is a pure run play that beats aggressive man and zone blitz packages by letting pass rushers fly upfield past their run fits, so the primary read is the alley created by the FB lead block, hitting the crease as soon as the second level defenders bite on the pass drop.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the Mike and Will linebackers are showing blitz or walking up to the line, since aggressive blitz shows are the biggest weakness for this play Check safety depth, a two high shell that rotates late often means linebackers are dropping into zone and will be out of position against the delayed handoff Post-snap, if the defensive line stunts or crashes hard upfield the draw hits big because the interior gaps open behind the rush User the Mike linebacker and spy the backfield if you suspect draw, staying square and reading the FB lead block instead of biting on the QB drop shuts this down Disciplined defenses that use a spy or keep a linebacker at depth in Cover 1 or Cover 3 with contain rules eliminate the cutback lanes this play depends on
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs when the defense shows heavy blitz pressure or Cover 3 zone drops that pull linebackers off the line at the snap
Watch for defenders keying the RB before the snap, if the Mike linebacker is creeping up or the defensive line is in a wide nine alignment this draw punishes their aggression
Use the FB as your lead blocker read, follow his path into the hole rather than committing to a predetermined gap
Pair this play in sequence with Mesh or Qk Slants from the same Close Flex set to keep the defense honest on obvious passing downs, then catch them relaxing with the draw
Avoid calling this against disciplined zone teams that keep linebackers at depth reading the backfield, since they will fill the draw lanes quickly
