Playbooks

QB Sweep

Shotgun·Trey Open HB Str·11
Run Play

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 4 playbooks

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Breakdown

QB Sweep out of Shotgun Trey Open HB Str is a designed quarterback run that pulls the offensive line to one side while the QB takes the snap and sweeps wide behind the pulling guards and lead blockers. This is a run play, not a pass concept, so there are no man or zone beaters involved, it is built to attack edge defenders and force a fast flow read from the second level. The primary read is the edge, the QB keys the defensive end or outside linebacker off the pull, if that defender crashes inside the QB bounces outside the blocks, if he stays home the QB cuts up through the alley created by the pulling linemen.

Defensive Reads

Pre snap, identify the box count and look for light fronts, this play thrives against nickel and dime sub packages that sacrifice run defenders for pass coverage. Check the alignment of the play side defensive end and outside linebacker, if they are widened out or aligned with outside contain responsibility, the sweep has a tougher path and you may want to check to an interior run. Post snap, key the edge defender's first two steps, if he crashes down inside to squeeze the pulling linemen, bounce the run outside immediately for a big gain. Watch for user controlled defenders spying the QB or flying downhill off the edge, aggressive human defenders who bite on run fakes leave the alley wide open, but a disciplined user defender who stays home on the QB can blow this play up for a loss. This run gets shut down by tight fronts with extra defenders stacked on the play side edge and by contain based blitzes designed to force the QB back inside into pursuit, if you see those looks pre snap, kill the play and get to a pass concept from this set instead.

Usage Tips

Use this out of a passing personnel look like 11 personnel to catch defenses expecting dropback pass, the Trey Open bunch alignment draws extra attention to that side and opens up the sweep to the closed side of the formation.

Run this on early downs or short yardage when defenses are sitting in nickel or dime packages with lighter boxes, the fewer run stoppers in the box the more room the pulling linemen create.

Pair QB Sweep with RPO Peek Slant or RPO Peek Bubble from this same set so defenses cannot key run just because you are in shotgun with a tight bunch look, this keeps linebackers honest and slows their run fits.

Set up QB Sweep after calling HB Mid Draw or Inside Zone a few times, once the defense starts crashing inside linebackers and edge defenders to stop interior runs, the sweep hits the perimeter before they can redirect.

Avoid calling this into stacked boxes with extra defenders showing blitz on the edge pre snap, if you see a nano blitz alignment with the outside backer crashing hard off the snap, check into a quick game beater like Stick or RPO Alert Smoke instead.

Other Plays in Trey Open HB Str