Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn Buck Sweep is a run play out of Shotgun Wing Slot Wk with 12 personnel that sends the HB in jet motion across the formation before the snap, stressing the defense to flow with the motion. The offensive line pulls to lead the HB around the edge on a sweep path, using the wing TE and slot alignment to create extra gap blockers on the perimeter. This is a run play, not a man or zone beater in the passing sense, so the primary read is the pulling linemen and edge blockers to determine whether to bounce outside or cut up inside the sweep lane based on how the edge defender and linebackers flow to the motion.
Defensive Reads
Watch the play side outside linebacker or defensive end pre-snap, if he widens with the motion he is respecting the sweep and you should look to cut it back inside. Check safety depth before the snap, a single high safety cheating toward the sweep side signals run support that can be exploited with Mtn Read Option or Mtn Inside Zone as a counter. Post-snap, track the flow of the second level linebackers, if they overrun the pulling guards you have a cutback lane. User controlled defenders sitting in the alley are the biggest threat to this play, they can blow up the sweep before the pullers get set. If you see a nano blitz or edge pressure package pre-snap, this play is vulnerable since it needs time for the pull to develop, consider audibling to a quicker hitting concept instead.
Usage Tips
Use the HB motion pre-snap to identify if the defense shifts a linebacker or defensive back to follow, which tells you if they are playing assignment football against motion.
Call this against defenses that show light boxes or overpursue to the play side, since the sweep can bounce outside once the edge is sealed.
Hot route the wing TE to adjust his block angle if you see an extra defender crashing down hard off the edge.
Best used on early downs (first and ten, second and short) to keep the defense honest and set up play-action shots later.
Pair this with RPO Buck Sweep Peek or Buck Sweep Read Opt from the same set so the defense cannot key on motion without risking a peek route beating them over the top.
