Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Sweep out of Shotgun Tight (11 personnel) is a designed outside run play that sends the running back laterally toward the edge before turning upfield, as shown by the arrow bending from the backfield out to the perimeter. The offensive line and tight end execute an outside zone or edge blocking scheme, pulling and reaching to seal defenders and create a lane for the ball carrier to bounce outside. This is a pure run play with no route combos or play-action window dressing, so the primary read progression starts with the runner pressing the sweep aiming point, reading the edge defender's leverage, and then choosing between bouncing outside the block or cutting it back inside if the edge is sealed.
Defensive Reads
Watch the defensive end or outside linebacker on the play side before the snap, since aggressive edge defenders who crash inside get sealed easily but disciplined edge setters can string the play out and kill it. Key the flow of the linebackers after the snap, if they flow hard to the sweep side without hesitation the defense is reading run correctly and the cutback lane inside becomes the better option. Look for defenses in a nine technique or wide alignment on the edge, since these fronts are vulnerable to sweep action because the defender is already out of position to string the play. Beware of run blitzes or contain schemes designed to attack the edge, since these fronts get penetration before the sweep blocking can set up and often blow the play up for a loss. User a linebacker or safety to fill the alley aggressively, since this play lives or dies on whether the second level defender beats the blocker to the edge.
Usage Tips
Use HB Sweep on early downs or short yardage when you need a manageable gain and want to keep the defense honest against your pass-heavy Shotgun Tight package.
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is stacked in the box with extra run support or crashing linebackers, since a light box with linebackers playing deep or wide is the ideal trigger to call this play.
User the frontside blocker if you can to help the edge defender get sealed, then take manual control of the HB right after the handoff to make the correct bounce or cutback decision.
Pair this play in sequence with HB Draw and Read Option from the same set so the defense cannot key on backfield action, forcing linebackers to hesitate on run fits.
Avoid calling this into heavy blitz looks with edge defenders crashing hard upfield, since the sweep needs time to develop and can get blown up before the lane opens.
