Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Mtn QB Sweep is a designed QB run out of Shotgun Bunch Str Offset that starts with HB motion across the backfield before the snap, pulling defenders and setting the edge. Per the diagram, the QB takes the snap and sweeps outside behind the pulling motion back, with the offensive line stepping in unison to seal the point of attack while the bunch receivers to the right run off their defenders to clear the perimeter lane. This is a pure run play designed to attack the edge with the QB as the ball carrier, and the primary read is the QB's own lane vision: get to the corner and read the first flowing defender to decide whether to cut up inside the block or bounce it outside.
Defensive Reads
Watch the alignment of the edge defender on the play side before the snap since a wide 9-technique or crashing DE can blow up the sweep lane immediately. Key the linebacker flow after the HB motion, if they overrun the fake or widen out of position it opens a natural cutback lane for the QB. Identify single high versus two high safety shells, single high defenses tend to leave the alley defender in conflict which favors this sweep, while two high shells with quicker safety run support can close the edge faster. Look for a user-controlled defender spying the QB or shadowing the motion man, since that indicates the defense is honoring the designed QB run threat and will limit the sweep's effectiveness. Man coverage on the bunch receivers with no underneath help tends to leave extra numbers in the run fit, so if you see man alignment with tight technique on the outside receivers expect a crowded box and consider setting up a play-action shot instead.
Usage Tips
Use the HB motion pre-snap to identify if the defense shifts a linebacker or safety toward the motion, which tells you if it's man or zone coverage rotating with the run fit.
Call this on early downs or in short yardage and goal line situations where the defense expects a pass out of Bunch Str Offset personnel, catching them off guard with a designed QB keeper.
If the defense shows a hard edge defender crashing down pre-snap, be ready to cut the QB run up inside behind the pulling linemen instead of forcing the bounce outside.
Pair this play with Mtn Lead Toss or Fk Toss Lead Swing Dig from the same set so the defense has to respect both the motion toss action and the QB sweep, keeping linebackers honest and slow to fill gaps.
Avoid calling this into looks with an extra defender stacked in the box or against aggressive nano blitz packages that key the QB immediately off the snap, since there is no lead blocker cushion built into the design beyond the offensive line surge.
