How to Run Sweep with a Pro Set Backfield

Video Transcript

"Hi, this is Sean Hobson, for Expert Village. What we want to talk about now is running an effective sweep or pitch play while using a split backfield. What we're talking about with a split backfield is when we have two backs split on either side of the quarterback. They both start in a two point stance. We're going to run this the same as we would if we were in the I formation except our quarterback will come a little bit more down the line of scrimmage as opposed to coming straight back and making that fake because our back is already offset to the left side. So, in slow motion (video demo), the quarterback is going to take a step toward the line of scrimmage, he's going to fake it to the first man through, then the second guy will come through. He's going to take the hand off and go through the outside hole. That's how we run our sweep play out of the split backfield. Now we want to run quickly through the pitch play (video demo). This is run basically the same way except, this time, our back to the left side will lean through and hit the defensive end. Our second back will then come through, take the pitch play. Our wide receiver goes upfield, blocks off the defensive back and we try to turn it up field and pick up as much yardage as we possibly can."