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Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
HB Sweep out of Shotgun Split Slot Offset is a designed edge run that pulls blockers to seal the outside lane while the offensive line steps to their gaps. The diagram shows the HB taking a lateral handoff and stretching to the perimeter, with the QB executing a quick toss motion before releasing the runner outside. This is a pure run play with no route combos to read, so the primary read progression starts with the frontside edge defender: if the defensive end or outside linebacker crashes hard inside, cut it upfield immediately, but if the edge stays home, string the play wide and follow your blocking convoy to the sideline.
Defensive Reads
Key the play side defensive end and outside linebacker first, since their leverage determines whether the runner bounces outside or cuts up inside the block. Watch for a fast flowing strong safety or nickel defender crashing downhill, as an unblocked defender in the alley is the primary threat to blow up the sweep for a loss. Look for defenses in a 4-3 Under or Cover 3 Sky shell that commit extra bodies to the box, since these alignments often leave the sweep lane clogged if the edge defender stays disciplined. Identify user-controlled defenders spying the running back pre-snap, since a user flowing hard to the sweep side can beat the blocking scheme before it develops. Check linebacker depth at the snap: linebackers playing downhill and fast will disrupt the pulling blockers, while linebackers reading their keys slower give the sweep a clean angle to the second level.
Usage Tips
Call this play against defenses showing light boxes or when the defensive front is stacked with only five or six defenders inside the tackles.
Use pre-snap motion or a quick shift to confirm run fits before the snap, since defenses that flow hard to motion will struggle to reset in time to defend the sweep.
Pair HB Sweep with RB Sweep Rt and HB Off Tackle in the same drive to keep defenders guessing on direction, forcing linebackers to hesitate on their run fits.
Mix in RPO Counter Read or RPO Read Cntr from the same formation so the defense cannot key run versus pass presnap based on personnel or alignment.
Avoid calling this against heavy blitz packages that send extra defenders off the edge, since the sweep needs time to develop and get to the perimeter.
