Sweep 48 Ram/Sweep Weak

When we committed to the unbalanced line and the bastard 5 yard split, never did we think that the defense would allow us to line up in the slot formation and not adjust. What we discovered is that the defense would align to the unbalanced but not ‘notice’ the wing back. We discovered that defenses did not ‘notice’ the wing back till he went in motion, and then they would adjust to the motion.

And then there is the fact that defensive coordinators do not like to shift the defense a full man over to the strength of the formation. Invariably, they shift over half a man and align in the gap. We think that’s because they do not want to give us a ‘short corner’ in the weakside of the formation.

In any event, the fact of the matter is that the slot formation outflanks a defense that does not adjust. (And of course, if they do adjust, then they will be weak somewhere else along the LOS.)

Be sure to read about these plays at www.jvm.com/coachfree.

Here are the rules for blocking for the sweep:

1. Both the SE and the WB are to block the first defender to the inside on or off the ball – defenders in level one or two. We do not want them blocking a deep defender.

2. The Key block on the sweep is executed by the FB. This version of the sweep play differs from the T schemes in that we have the FB block the force man on the sweep. We feel that our FB is better on his feet, can get there quicker from his offset position, has more agility and probably year in-year out is a better athlete than a pulling guard. The timing of the play is just better, especially on a hard corner force. Most of the time secondary defenders align 3-10 yards off the ball and take those three ‘read steps.’ When this happens, the FB is to use a running shoulder block on the defender, putting his inside shoulder on the outside number of the defender and get his hips around to seal that defender to the inside. If however, the force man attacks the LOS quickly and in either on the LOS or actually in our backfield, then the FB is to “kickout” the defender and the TB is to cut up and run inside this block.

3. The Tackles are to seal off the inside, with a gap defense that means they are blocking the defender to the inside on or off the ball.

4. The Ram call means that both guards are going to pull and block. They are to pull off the LOS and get around the blocks of the SE & WB. The idea is to get up into the alley and block defenders pursuing to the ball carrier.

5. We have the QB get into the flow of the blockers after pitching the ball to the TB. We ask that the QB get in the way of a defender and make him run around the ‘QBs block.’ Some years you have a QB that is a hard nosed kid and will actually block someone. Other years, the QB wants nothing of it.

The running path of the ball carrier most of the time takes him inside the block of the fullback and then back outside toward the sidelines. It is important the TB not run too close to the FB’s block (he should stay about three yards off the block) or he can run right into the block and the defender can make a play on him. By having the TB align 7 or more yards deep and running parallel to the LOS till he receives the ball, and having the FB align 5 yards off the ball and run straight at the force man, we have separation between blocker and ball carrier.

Sweep Weak: You can keep the guards in as illustrated, or you can pull and get them in front of the ball carrier.

We like to run this play on the first sound often catching the defense shifting and adjusting to the formation. Another play we like to run from this formation is Counter 47 gut on first sound as well. Often when the defense sees this formation, they are thinking sweep all the way, therefore, the counter is an excellent play.

Another play that works well out of this formation is a Sweep/Trap to the FB back up the middle against the grain established by the sweep fake. On the trap play, the QB reverse pivots, fakes a sweep, and put the ball in the FB’s belly. The FB takes a step forward and hesitates till receiving the ball. He then runs the ball up over the middle on a Sweep 31 trap. The SG pulls and trap blocks the DT.

The sweep pictured below was our first offense play of the game! Great way to start, EH?

AND . . . I just noticed that the uploaded video not only includes that play, but some good examples of other basic plays as well. Can you name them?

See more examples of these plays at www.maxcast.com/EQualizer.