Power
Down-block, kick-out, pull and lead
- Ball carrier
- Block
Power is the quintessential gap-scheme run play, assigning every defender a specific blocker rather than relying on zone movement. The playside offensive line down-blocks to the inside, a fullback or H-back kicks out the end man on the line of scrimmage (EMOL), and the backside guard pulls around to lead through the hole as the play's primary lead blocker. The running back reads the kick-out block: if the EMOL is kicked outside, the RB runs inside the kick-out block behind the pulling guard. Power is physical, downhill football that creates a numbers advantage at the point of attack.
Blocking
5 OLTap a lineman to isolate his block.
Blocking rules
Playside offensive linemen execute down blocks, each man steps inside to block the gap-down defender. The center blocks back on the backside A-gap defender. The playside tackle and guard seal the inside gap. The fullback or H-back comes across the formation and kick-out blocks the EMOL (the unblocked end man on the playside). The backside guard pulls around the formation and leads through the hole between the kick-out and the down blocks, targeting the playside linebacker. The backside tackle hinge-blocks to protect the backside from pursuit.
Running back read
Read the kick-out block on the EMOL. If the EMOL is kicked out (wide), run inside the kick-out behind the pulling guard into the created gap. If the EMOL squeezes inside and wrong-arms the kick-out block, bounce outside the mess. The aiming point is the inside hip of the kick-out blocker. Be patient, let the pulling guard arrive, then run downhill behind him.
Why it works
Power creates a double numbers advantage at the point of attack: the kick-out block removes the EMOL, and the pulling guard adds an extra blocker that the defense didn't account for in its gap fits. The down blocks seal the interior, creating a defined running lane. Defenses must choose, if the EMOL squeezes the kick-out, the RB bounces; if the EMOL plays it honestly, the pulling guard washes the LB out of the gap.
Conflict defender
Playside EMOL (end man on the line of scrimmage), kicked out by the FB/H-back. Must decide whether to squeeze down or set the edge, and wrong-arming the kick-out requires discipline most DEs lack.
Play-action off it
1- Drive · Power action play-action, the pulling guard motion sells the run, then the QB bootlegs with drive-concept routes attacking the flat and intermediate levels.
Origin
Power is the universal NFL gap scheme. The lineage runs through Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers and was codified by Joe Gibbs's Washington "Hogs" in the 1980s, Gibbs himself described Power and Counter as mirror plays (FB trapper / BSG wrapper vs. BSG trapper / BST wrapper). Modern adapters include Lincoln Riley's "Power Raid" system, which married Air Raid passing concepts with physical gap-scheme runs. Roots run back to single-wing and Wing-T offenses of the early 20th century.
Power vs fronts
6 RATED- 4-3 OverEdge
Guard pull creates a numbers advantage at the point of attack; the FB/TE kicks out the DE and the pulling guard leads through the hole.Show reasoning
Conflict defender. Defensive end (kick-out block)
Why the offense wins. Guard pull creates a numbers advantage at the point of attack; the FB/TE kicks out the DE and the pulling guard leads through the hole.
Key adjustment. DE must wrong-arm the kick-out block to spill the play outside.
- 4-3 UnderEdge
Running at the under front's weak side, the tackle has a down angle on the 3-technique, the FB kicks out the 5-tech end and the backside guard wraps for the WILL; the strong-side overload is away from the ball.Show reasoning
Conflict defender. Weak-side defensive end (kick-out target)
Why the offense wins. Running at the under front's weak side, the tackle has a down angle on the 3-technique, the FB kicks out the 5-tech end and the backside guard wraps for the WILL; the strong-side overload is away from the ball.
Key adjustment. Have the 5-tech wrong-arm the kick-out to spill the ball to the scraping WILL.
- NickelEdge
Nickel defense is light in the box; the power run creates a numbers advantage with the pulling guard as an extra blocker.Show reasoning
Conflict defender. WILL linebacker (stacked weak side)
Why the offense wins. Nickel defense is light in the box; the power run creates a numbers advantage with the pulling guard as an extra blocker.
Key adjustment. Bring the safety down as an extra run-fit player against power formations.
- 3-4 One-GapToss-up
Four linebackers give the defense extra gap-fit defenders; the OLB can attack the pulling guard before he arrives at the point of attack.Show reasoning
Conflict defender. Weak-side OLB (kick-out target)
Why the offense wins. Gap scheme is the standard answer when an odd front takes away zone doubles: the tackle has a clean down angle on the 4i, the FB kicks the 9-tech OLB, and the guard wraps for the ILB.
Why the defense wins. Four linebackers give the defense extra gap-fit defenders; the OLB can attack the pulling guard before he arrives at the point of attack.
Key adjustment. If the OLB wrong-arms the kick-out, the back bounces and the wrapper climbs straight to the scraping ILB.
- 3-3-5 StackToss-up
Three athletic linebackers can flow and fill against the pull.Show reasoning
Conflict defender. WILL linebacker (cutback lane)
Why the offense wins. Only three down linemen can be moved at the point of attack by power blocking.
Why the defense wins. Three athletic linebackers can flow and fill against the pull.
Key adjustment. Have the linebackers read the pull and flow; three athletic backers fill the wrap lane.
- Bear FrontTough
Bear is the historical answer to pulling schemes: covered guards mean no double-team at the point, the backside 3-tech chases the pulling guard through his vacated gap, and the wrap lane is clogged before the puller arrives.Show reasoning
Conflict defender. Nose tackle (head up, no uncovered lineman)
Why the offense wins. Power can work against bear if the double-team on the nose creates displacement.
Why the defense wins. Bear is the historical answer to pulling schemes: covered guards mean no double-team at the point, the backside 3-tech chases the pulling guard through his vacated gap, and the wrap lane is clogged before the puller arrives.
Key adjustment. Have the backside 3-tech chase the pull through the vacated gap and the stacked MIKE plug the wrap lane.