Playbooks
HB Sweep out of Shotgun Wide Trips is an outside zone run play designed to get the HB the edge with lead blockers pulling from the play side line. The offensive line executes a zone stretch blocking scheme, reaching and running defenders horizontally to create a cutback lane while the frontside guard or tackle pulls to lead through the hole. This is a pure run play with no pass option, and the primary read progression starts with the play side defensive end, tracking his contain versus crash, then reading the flow of the linebackers to decide between bouncing outside or cutting up through the alley.
Watch the play side defensive end and outside linebacker before the snap, if they are crashing hard inside on run downs this sweep can outrun their pursuit angle. Check safety depth, a single high safety with corners playing off suggests zone drops that vacate the alley late, favoring the sweep. Two deep safeties with corners in press usually means man coverage and often a lighter box, which is ideal for this run. Identify blitz packages such as nano blitzes or edge pressure package prior to snap, since fast off-the-edge rushers can blow up the play before the pulling blocker gets set. If you see a user-controlled linebacker sitting outside the tackle box or a defensive end staying home on contain, expect the cutback lane to be the better option rather than bouncing it outside.
Attack light boxes with six or fewer defenders in the box before the snap since this sweep loses value against stacked fronts. Use motion or a quick pre-snap check to confirm if the defense is in man or zone, since aggressive man coverage on the outside receivers often pulls extra defenders away from the alley. Hot route the backside receiver into a quick slant or drag if you see a blitz look, this keeps a hot read available if you need to bail into a pass concept. Pair this with HB Mid Draw and Read Option from the same set to keep linebackers guessing between inside and outside run threats. Best called on early downs, especially first and ten or second and short, when defenses are still base personnel and have not committed to run blitzes. Save this for after you have shown Four Verticals or Switch Verts a few times so safeties stay deep and the box stays light.