Dart

Offense

also: tackle pull · dart tackle

A run where the tackle is the puller, usually to a linebacker, while the rest of the line zone blocks. The counterpart to counter, with one puller instead of two.

The backside tackle pulls and leads up through the hole, usually onto a linebacker, while the rest of the line blocks zone. It gives a downhill run a lead blocker without asking a guard to leave the interior, which is the trade that defines it.

Pulling a tackle rather than a guard also changes what the defense sees. A pulling guard is a well-known tell for gap scheme; a pulling tackle from a line otherwise stepping zone is a much later read.

Also calledtackle pull
Not to be confused withGT counter and counter trey, iso

Where you will hear it

  • spread run games
  • zone-based offenses adding a gap element