Youth Football Jet Sweep


By FirstDown PlayBook on May 9, 2023
Youth Football Help & Flag Football Help

Here at FirstDown PlayBook, we love the Jet Sweep. It has the ability to get on the edge quickly. It also is often a great tool to use as a counter away from the backfield action. Having said that, you have to be careful when you are installing a youth football jet sweep.

There is a lot more to executing a jet sweep than handing the ball off to the fastest kid on your team. For starters there is an inherent risk of a turnover right off the bat.

NFL Coaches On 12 Formations To Consider For Your Youth Football Offense

Okay, enough of that. Let’s talk about the good things first. When you run a youth football jet sweep you not only create edge plays but you also soften up a defense. This is true for any formation you might want to run. Keep in mind that this defense might otherwise be packed inside to stop your interior run game.

This is the youth football version of using all 53 and a third of the field. Why not, right? Most youth football coaches put their smallest and worst tacklers out on the perimeter. Now we think that is a mistake but it is true, regardless of what we think.

A Youth Football Jet Sweep Makes Your Other Plays Better

This is universal by the way. If you don’t believe us watch the San Francisco 49ers play some Sunday. Linebackers and linebacker coaches love to key the backfield. Once the backfield is meaningless on a Jet Sweep explosive play, confusion sets in. Keep in mind this is the same if you are coaching an NFL Flag team too!

Now these linebackers have a key that is hard to read. Why? Because it is not on the line of scrimmage or in the backfield when the ball is snapped. Now they are doubtful about their keys and doubtful players play slow. Regardless of if you are running your base plays or a jet sweep, the linebackers are slow. This will apply regardless of the youth football defense you are playing against.

Having said all of this, you have to be careful when you install a youth football jet sweep. There is a lot going on and sometimes that can mean the ball is on the ground. Never a good thing regardless of the level you coach. Take a peek at this short video top avoid some pitfalls that come with running the youth football jet sweep.

James Coates