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.

Offense

dart, the play

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