Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Off Tackle out of Weak I Slot Open is a downhill run play with the fullback leading through the hole to the strong side edge. The diagram shows two receivers stacked to one side running vertical routes as decoys with no route combo of note to the run action, while the backfield action shows the HB taking a lead block path off tackle behind the FB. This is a pure run play designed to attack the edge with power, not a play-action or RPO look, so the primary read is the FB lead block: press the hole and cut off his shoulder based on the first flowing defender.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if the strong side linebacker is sitting tight to the line he can beat the FB block and blow up the play before it develops. Key the edge defender or SAM, this play lives or dies on whether the FB can seal him or if he squeezes down fast enough to string it out to the sideline. Look for overloaded fronts or run blitz calls to the strong side, since stacking extra defenders at the point of attack takes away the off tackle crease entirely. User the strong safety down into the alley as a defender, since he is often the first free hitter if the fullback lead gets picked off by a stunt or twist. Check for man coverage cheating up on the stacked receivers, if defenders are playing tight man they are more likely to bite on run action, opening a bigger crease.
Usage Tips
Check the box count pre-snap and only call this into light boxes with six or fewer defenders in the box since the fullback lead needs numbers advantage to spring the edge.
Identify if the defense is in a run-focused front like 46 Bear or heavy blitz alignment, since those fronts can outnumber the edge and clog the FB lead lane.
Use the vertical routes on the stacked receivers as clear-out decoys against man coverage to pull defenders away from the alley, then trust the FB block and stay patient behind him.
Mix this with HB Draw and Power O from the same Weak I Slot Open set to keep the defense guessing between inside zone hits and outside tackle runs off identical formation looks.
Best called on early downs or short yardage third down situations where defenses are less likely to sit in a two deep shell and more likely to load the box.
