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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
HB Sweep out of Shotgun Trips Y Slot Str is a designed outside run that pulls the offensive line to create a lane for the HB to bounce wide. The diagram shows the running back taking the handoff and cutting laterally toward the sweep side while the offensive line executes a zone or gap scheme block to seal the edge, with the trips receivers running off their defenders to clear the perimeter. This is a pure run play with no pass option attached, and the primary read progression is for the ball carrier to press the line of scrimmage, read the edge blocks, and decide whether to bounce outside or cut upfield based on how the defense flows.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth and flow before the snap, if they are sitting tight to the line they can beat the sweep to the edge with quick pursuit. Identify whether the defense is in a run heavy front like a 46 Bear or Goal Line look, these fronts clog the edge and stop the sweep before it develops. Look for cornerbacks pressing the trips receivers, aggressive man coverage can leave the alley open if those defenders are occupied release blocking. Post snap, key the defensive end and outside linebacker on the play side, if they string the play out wide without getting reached, the sweep has nowhere to go. This run struggles against overload blitzes to the play side and disciplined zone defenses that keep linebackers square and flowing with the ball, so avoid calling it into a stacked box.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a quick glance at the defensive front to confirm you have numbers on the edge before snapping this play.
If the defense shows a heavy box with extra defenders crashing inside, consider audibling to Inside Zone instead since the sweep needs speed on the perimeter.
This play hits best against light boxes and defenses that are respecting the trips formation with extra coverage defenders out wide, leaving fewer bodies to fit the edge run.
Pair HB Sweep with Quick Slants or Dagger out of the same set so defenders have to respect both the run to the edge and the quick passing game, keeping linebackers honest.
Run this on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage situations where defenses are less likely to load the box for a pass rush.
Use manual control on your lead blocker to seal the first defender off the edge and give your HB a two way go.
