Implementing the Sweep Series Package

by: Sam Venuto
Offensive Coordinator, Villanova University
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Growing up the son of a high school football coach, I was exposed to a brand of offensive football that utilizes a series of complementary plays off the same or similar formations, backfield actions, and blocking schemes. The Drive Series or Split- T offense that my father used in our high school combined full flow base runs with the misdirection of counter plays and play action passes. All fit neatly into a system that allowed the offense to keep the defense off balance by countering defensive reaction. Following high school, I attended the University of Delaware, where I played and later began my career in coaching. The Delaware Wing-T, needless to say, incorporated very similar components to the above mentioned Split-T, but tied in the motioning of backs from spread sets to present the defense with a more viable passing threat. A few years back, we decided at Villanova to enter some of these philosophic principles into our offensive system.

In the spring of 2001, our offensive staff at Villanova took a trip to Arizona State to gain insight from their offensive staff on the “speed sweep” that they used with great success the previous season while at Boise State. We were thrilled when their Head Coach, Dirk Koetter (now with the Jacksonville Jaguars), offered to clinic us on the play, giving us the foundation to install the sweep into our system at Villanova. We decided to use the “speed sweep” as the lead component to a series of plays that we would refer as our “tite-hit” series. Along with the sweep, we would run a counter, play action passes and a screen play. The reason we refer to this package of plays as “tite-hit” is two fold. Our tag for the speed motion is “hit” or “hit motion”, with our H-back motioning in towards the center of the formation. “Tite” refers to our base spread two-by-two formation compressed (See Diagram 1).

Diagram 1: Rip-in Tite

We have three main reasons for compressing the formation to run these plays. First, we want to compress the defense to our formation in an attempt to outflank them on the perimeter. Several years ago, I read an article by Bill Walsh about the advantages of compressing the defense in order to execute phases of the perimeter passing game. Secondly, if the defense is a cover four/safety support team, we want to try to force a corner support check. If that happens, the safety, as the free hitter, may have a more difficult fit into the LOS to stop the sweep play. Thirdly, the alignments of our receivers can force a blitzer from the field or from over our slot receiver into a flat enough angle where he will get picked off by our playside tackle. If the blitzer chooses a more vertical path, then, he must run through our slot receiver.

The splits of our inside slot receiver are 2-2.5 yards from the end men on the LOS. Our outside receivers align 2-3 yards outside of the slot receivers. The fullback is behind the tackle at four yards. The “speed sweep” or “8 hand”, as we call it, is a very simple play to teach and execute. The five men up front all have the same assignment which is to zone their playside gap. The technique used is to reach and cut (See Diagram 2).

Diagram 2: Speed Sweep or 8 Hand

The blocking on the perimeter is a bit more difficult in that we teach the slot receiver and the Z receiver to work together in a combo technique. Their assignment is to double the man over the slot receiver to the next most dangerous man inside. The technique used is stalk-crack (See Diagrams 3A, 3B, and 3C).

Diagram 3A: Base Look

Diagram 3B: Alternate Base Look

Diagram 3C: Blitz Look

Our fullback will be the lead blocker on the sweep. He is responsible to block the force player or the first man outside of the block by Z. The technique he uses is to take an open step and run at a 45 degree angle, aiming and cutting through the outside thigh of the corner or support player, kicking out the support player if he crosses the LOS (See Diagrams 4A and 4B).

Diagram 4A: Fullback Cut

Diagram 4B: Fullback Kick Out

It is up to the quarterback to execute the timing of the motion and the exchange with the ball carrier. The quarterback starts the H-back in motion by lifting his heel off of the ground. On this signal the H sprints full speed from his alignment on the LOS and receives the hand off from the quarterback. Once the exchange is executed the ball carrier bubbles back with a little depth to get in relationship with the fullback. The ball carrier should be on the backside hip of the fullback leading the play. The quarterback must get the ball snapped from the center when the motioning H-back is on the inside leg of the offensive tackle. The quarterback’s assignment is to always open pivot to the motion, execute the exchange, and boot away (See Diagrams 5A and 5B).

Diagram 5A: Rip-in Tite Hit-8 Hand (Against a 7 man front)

Diagram 5B: Rip-in Tite Hit-8 Hand (Against a 8 man front)

Over the years we have had success with this play because it is simple to execute and the timing and speed of the sweep mechanics take pressure off our blockers at the point of attack. In order to counter the quick flow of linebackers to the perimeter of the defense chasing down the speed sweep, we needed to implement a misdirection play into the series. The misdirection play we chose was our 21 counter T play. We had the scheme in our system since 1999, but needed to tie in the backfield action of the speed sweep to achieve the outcome we were looking for.

The scheme for the offensive line in 21 Counter T is a tackle pull and wrap scheme by our frontside offensive tackle. The tackle is assigned to block the first linebacker in the box on the backside of the formation. If the tackle’s assigned linebacker were to press on the LOS outside the defensive end, then he would pull and trap the linebacker. The frontside guard is assigned to zone the B gap to the frontside linebacker. Our center is to zone A gap to the frontside linebacker. On the point of attack side, our backside guard blocks the A or B gap down lineman [shade or 3 tech]. If the guard has a shaded defensive lineman, his technique is to down block him aggressively. A 3 technique would be influenced upfield with a pass set. The backside or point of attack side tackle is assigned to block the defensive end to his side. He will take a pass set to influence the defensive end up the field, engage and widen him. If the defensive end were to rock under into the A gap, then his technique is to wash him inside without allowing any penetration. In this scenario, the play would hit one gap wider from the intended A gap (See Diagrams 6A and 6B).

Diagram 6A: Blocking Scheme vs a Shaded Technique

Diagram 6B: Blocking Scheme vs a 3 Technique

You will notice that from this set we do not have anyone assigned to block the defensive end over the pulling tackle. We are relying on the influence of the sweep play to keep him wide enough to not be a factor in the play. If our quarterback sees a blitz threat off the edge, then we would prefer to run the sweep or check to the play our game plan dictates.

In order to present the exact same look as the sweep, our backfield action is as close to that of the sweep play as we can make it. The H-back who is no longer the ball carrier is now used as a decoy. He must use great speed and faking technique to influence both the linebackers and the unblocked defensive end. The quarterback initiates the motion just as in the sweep. The only difference is that the ball is snapped over the guard as opposed to over the tackle. This is so the H-back can clear the quarterback faster and allow a clear path to the exchange with the fullback. The technique of the quarterback is to open to the motion, back stepping at 6 o’clock or on the midline, with the second step crossing the midline by 45 degrees. He adjusts to the ball carrier on the third step and executes the exchange with an underneath hand off. The quarterback continues to a three step drop fake after insuring the hand off. The ball carrier [fullback] takes a hard jab step to his sweep path then runs a direct path to the backside A gap. After receiving the ball from the quarterback, the ball carrier should get on the backside hip of the pulling tackle and follow him into the hole (See Diagrams 7A and 7B).

Diagram 7A: Rip-in Tite Hit 21 Counter T

Diagram 7B: Vs Linebacker Press and Blitz

Over the past five seasons the 21 Counter T scheme has been our most productive play, averaging 6.1 yards-per play. We have incorporated several different play action passes into our “tite-hit” package ranging from down the field passes and crossing routes to screens. The base play action concept that we introduce with the package is a three level flood route. The route combinations begin with our Z receiver who runs a skinny post route that we also refer to as an inside 9 route. The objective of the route by Z is to take the “lid” off the coverage by clearing the zone and being alert for a pass. He must avoid any attempts of being re-routed by the defense and must release press coverage.

The slot receiver runs the middle level of the route combination. After executing a release, the slot receiver will stem 10-12 yards vertical and break to the corner on a 45 degree angle, bisecting underneath the Z receiver while working to a depth of 25 yards down the field. The slot receiver is a primary target and must find the void in the zone or separate from any man coverage. The H-back executes his motion and fake of the sweep, then continues on a swing path into the flat area. He becomes the third route level in the combination. The H-back must also be aware that he is the quarterback’s hot receiver if blitz shows from the field. The quarterback and fullback execute the exact same action as on 21 Counter T minus the exchange. The fullback, after faking 21 Counter T, is assigned to check the backside linebacker for potential blitz. If he were to blitz, the fullback must block him. If the linebacker does not blitz, then the fullback leaks over the middle of the formation as a possible check down throw. The quarterback, after executing the 21 Counter T fake, takes a three step drop and reads through his flood progression of 1) skinny post, 2) corner route and 3) swing route. He must be aware that with any blitz from the field he throws hot to the swing route.

We call this play Flow 21 Flood. The term flow refers to the protection that we use. Our offensive linemen are flowing or zoning to the formation strength as we execute the 21 action with the backfield. The protection assignments are as follows: the playside tackle blocks the C gap; the playside guard blocks the B gap; the center zones A gap to the middle linebacker; the backside guard zones A gap to the man over him and the backside tackle blocks the man on him (See Diagrams 8A and 8B).

Diagram 8A: Flow 21 Flood

Diagram 8B: Rip-in Tite Hit Flow 21 Flood

The movement key for the quarterback is the flat defender. We are attempting to put the flat defender in a bind with the double fake action in the play. Even if our vertical routes get matched by the defense, we still have a great opportunity to outflank the flat defender with the swing route if the defender’s eyes remain in the backfield for too long.

Over the years we have had a great deal of success with this series of complementary plays. As a play caller, it can allow for a more systematic approach to the selection of specific plays as you better understand and anticipate defensive reaction.

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