Guide to the HB Iso and Power-O

Mar 20, 2015

Tyler Hill

The Iso.
Also known as the HB Lead or B.O.B.(Back on Backer), is a basic power running play
which requires a fullback. Run out of the I-Formation or its variants (offset, etc.), the Iso
is a play designed for one linebacker to be isolated with the FB to allow the HB to have
an easy 5 yards.

Offensive Line

The Iso uses a power blocking scheme. An offensive lineman will have one of two jobs, if
he has a defender lined up on top of him (this is called being covered), he will block that
defender. If he does not have a defender on top of him (this is uncovered), he will take a
moment to double team the closest defender before moving on to block a linebacker.
This is what is called a combo block.
Combo blocks are in red.

This series of images shows a combo block in action:

The Iso can be run either between the center and guard (A gap), or between the guard
and tackle(B gap). The only difference between the two is which linebacker will be
isolated; A-Gap, the middle linebacker is isolated, and B-Gap, the outside linebacker is
isolated. This is sometimes why you will see the O-Linemen talk to each other and point
while getting lined up.

Quarterback

The QB is under center and begins the play by taking a 6 oclock step and gaining as
much depth as possible. Sometimes done with a reverse step by coach or player
preference. One of the keys to this play is getting the ball to the HB as deep as possible,
ideally 5 yards or more behind the line of scrimmage. After giving the handoff the QB
runs a fake bootleg to either side.

Fullback

The FB immediately runs toward the outside foot of the guard and will block the first
linebacker he sees. The linebacker will attempt to stop the play in one of a few ways,
working from the inside out, the outside in, or straight up. When the linebacker picks a
direction, the FB will simply push him that direction and allow the HB to take the other
direction. If the LB plays it straight up, the FB must get enough leverage to drive him
back from the hole.

ISO Play FB.mp4

This gif shows a close up of the FBs block on the isolated linebacker. Notice the large
hole created by the linemen.

Halfback

The HB begins the play with a slight delay, in the form of a back step or lead step,
whatever the HB is comfortable with. This allows the QB extra time to get as deep as
possible prior to the hand off. The HB then must make several reads very quickly. First,
he looks at the defensive tackle closest to the play to tell if the DT is attacking the A gap
or B gap,; if it is the A gap, the HB will run toward the B gap.
In this image, you can see the DT is attacking the A-gap, leaving the B-gap to be filled
by the linebacker. The correct read for the HB is to run to the B-gap.

This gif shows the HB making the correct read and heading into the B-Gap

ISO Play.mp4

If the DT attacks the B gap, the HB must make another read. This time the HB will read
the backside defensive tackle to see if he will attack the A gap, if so, the HB will cut back
and run to the opposite side of the line. The FB always attacks the play side, through
either the A or B gap, so cutting back to the other side is a last resort for the HB.

In these images you can see that the DTs have attacked the A and B gap, making the
correct read a cutback across the line.
The gaps may look open, but the DTs are moving to the right to close them.

In the gif, you can see the FB still attacks the B gap, and the HB makes the cutback into
the large hole on the other side of the line. Also note the combo block that stops #52
from making the tackle.

ISO Play Cutback.mp4

If the DT does not attack the A-gap, then that is where the HB will run. Once he
commits to a hole, the HB will then read his FBs butt. He always runs where the butt is
pointing, because the defender is on the other side.
Defense
The goal of the defense on any running play is to plug all the gaps between offensive
blockers, so that the HB cannot get through and gets tackled when he tries. If no
defenders can shed their blocks, then the success of the defense depends on the
isolated linebacker. If he can recognize the play, his goal is to move forward and meet
the FB as close to the line as possible. If he can do this without being driven away by the
FB then the HB loses his lead blocker and is much more vulnerable. The other option for
the defense is to make the O-Lines job as hard as possible. This is done by running
slants and stunts, which is having the D-line and linebackers move in unexpected
directions. This inhibits the O-Lines ability to get the proper angle on their blocks and
leads to confusion among the blockers. Teams that run the Iso often will see a lot of
stunts and slants.

The Power-O
A very similar play to the Iso, the Power is another smash mouth running play
sometimes called the hardest hitting play in football. The power can be run out of a
variety of formations, from the I, to single back and shotgun sets, any formation with a
running back.

The blocking scheme for the Power is incredibly varied and changes with every formation
and defensive alignment. The basics are close to the Iso, with similar combo blocks. The
piece that never changes, however, is having two lead blockers. These blockers are what
makes it a Power play. One blocker is a pulling backside guard, where he steps back
from the line and runs across the formation. The other lead blocker is often a FB, but is
sometimes a TE or other player depending on the formation. The linemen typically leave
the last defender unblocked and he is taken care of by one of the lead blockers.

In this play, #75 is the pulling guard and leads the HB through the hole. #49 is the FB
and blocks the OLB on the far left.

Power Play.mp4

Single back sets usually face a nickel defense, so have one less defender to block, and
are run without a FB. The power is run generally run off tackle, but inside the edge of
the defense. The reads for the HB can change with the formation, but the theory is the
same as the Iso; he wants to avoid the defensive linemen and will attack a gap being
covered by a LB.

This is a Power-O run by the Steelers out of a single back set.

Power Play TE.mp4

#66 is the pulling guard; he will come across the line and block the edge defender. In
this instance, the TE is the other lead blocker. Also notice the delay steps the HB takes
so his blockers can get across the line.

Things to Note:
Footwork is a very underrated aspect of football. It plays an important role in these
running plays. The Quarterback and both Running backs have specific footwork to make
the play work. However, the footwork of the Offensive Line is most important. They take
specific steps with specific feet in order to get the proper angles and leverage on the
defense.

Both of these plays have variations based on them. Including draws, counters and play
action. Both plays are less effective when the linebackers cheat towards the line. Draws
keep them away from the line, and play action takes advantage of cheating linebackers.
Counters are designed to make the linebackers work to the wrong side of the line first.

The cornerbacks are largely ignored in these plays, as they play too far to the side to
impact the play. The WRs are ideally able to get to the safeties and block them, but this
is rare.

Discussion Questions:
Can these plays be run successfully when the defense expects it?

Do you think these plays would be more successful against a 4-3 or a 3-4 defense?

Both examples of the Iso were run to the weak side, should it be more successful when
run to the strong side?

Do you think these plays lend themselves to a speedy running back? Shifty? Powerful?

Many teams no longer carry a FB on their roster. Can they still run these plays?

If pulling a lineman is so effective, why dont teams do it on all their run plays?

Additional Reading Found: Here, here, here, and here.