Playbooks
HB Sweep out of Shotgun Box Y Split is an outside zone style run play designed to get the HB working laterally toward the edge before turning upfield. The offensive line and Y flex TE reach block and pull to create a running lane outside the tackle box, with the frontside guard or tackle often kicking out the edge defender while the backside blockers cut off pursuit. This is a base run concept, not a play-action or RPO, so the primary read is the frontside edge defender: if he gets kicked out, the HB reads the alley for a bounce, and if he squeezes down, the HB presses the crease off the pulling blocker's hip.
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is in a run heavy front like a 4-3 Under or 46 Bear look, these fronts can clog the edge and shut down the sweep before it develops. Check safety depth and alignment, if both safeties are sitting deep in a two high shell it usually signals lighter run support on the edge, which favors the sweep hitting big. Watch the play side defensive end and outside linebacker for contain discipline, disciplined edge defenders who stay square and squeeze the kick out block will limit this run to a short gain. Post-snap, track user controlled defenders flying downhill from depth, a user spy or blitzer reading the pulling lineman can blow up the sweep before the HB reaches the corner. Look for linebacker flow, if the linebackers key the pull and flow hard to the sweep side, this opens up Inside Zone or Mtn HB Draw as a strong follow up call to attack the vacated interior.
Run this out of Shotgun Box Y Split when the defense shows a light box or shifts safeties late, since a soft edge is what makes HB Sweep hit for explosive gains.
Use your pre-snap alignment check on the defensive end and outside linebacker to the play side, if either is crashing hard inside or is a fast flow defender, consider audibling to Same Side Zone or Inside Zone instead to attack the opposite hole.
Manually control the frontside pulling lineman right after the snap to secure the kick out block on the edge defender, this is the single biggest factor in whether the sweep bounces clean or gets blown up.
Pair HB Sweep with Mtn HB Draw and HB Slip Screen earlier in a drive to condition the defense to respect outside speed, then hit them with play-action shots like PA Mills Crosser or PA WR In once linebackers start flowing hard to stop the edge.
Best called on early downs (first and ten, second and short) when you want to stay ahead of the chains, avoid this on third and long since a stuffed edge run wastes a down against pass rush focused fronts.