How to Run a Football Offense: Sweep

Everyone sweeps quickly to the right on this play, using the strong side of the line to juggernaut the running back through.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Footballs
• Footballs

1. Set the offense in a split-back formation. Place seven players on the line. Position from the quarterback's left: split end, a space of 5 yards, tackle, guard, center, guard, tackle, tight end. Two running backs stand ready a yard behind the quarterback, one slightly to either side. Finally, a flanker is set 5 yards to the right of the tight end and 1 yard off the line of scrimmage.

2. Hike the ball and order your line to hook every opponent left.

3. Instruct the split end to block the left corner.

4. Instruct the tackle to break the line to hook the left linebacker.

5. Race the guard forward to contain the free safety.

6. Have the center hook the nose guard.

7. Have the right guard hook the right linebacker.

8. Send the tackle and tight end to hook the tackle and end, respectively.

9. Instruct the flanker to crack (break inside) to hook the strong safety, keeping him on the left.

10. Instruct the right running back to sprint right to block the corner.

11. Have the left running back follow in his wake.

12. Instruct the quarterback to open to the left, then reverse-pivot and pitch to the left running back.

13. Have the quarterback then skirt the backside of the offensive line and help the tight end contain the opposing end.

14. Send the running back, now hosting the desired pigskin, following the right running back and dashing through the opening between the stymied strong safety and corner.

Tips & Warnings

• Follow these steps assuming your line faces a basic 5-2 defense (five players on the line of scrimmage, two linebackers behind, a corner on either end, and two safeties in back). Adjust the blocking slightly to counter varying defenses.
• If your left tackle misses his block, the free safety has plenty of time to wait for your running back. Hope your running back is fast.
• Football is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.

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on 11/22/2005 When running sweeps, it takes patience for your blockers to open holes for you. Many great runnning backs follow their fullbacks (or their fellow running backs) through a wall of defenders. However, sometimes you don't have to wait. When the quarterback tosses you the ball, the best advice I've ever heard is that instead of running around toward the sidelines, you should cut after a couple of seconds and run directly north/south. I tried this during a game, and each time it got me around five to eight yards, sometimes more.