ROCKET AND JET SWEEP FROM

MULTIPLE FORMATIONS

Patrick R. Elder
Head Football Coach
Richmond-Burton Comm. High School
Pelder@rbchs.com
 Rocket and Jet Sweep
• Latest Innovation for the Wing-t.
– Denny Diericx
– Bruce Cobleigh
• Must run as a series.
– Sweeps set up inside plays and vice versa.
• Compliments traditional Wing-t Series.
– Bucksweep, Counter, etc.. All are enhanced by
the Rocket and Jet.
 Why the Rocket and Jet?
• Forces the defense to defend the entire field.
– DB’s forced to become tacklers. DL forced to run the
field.
• Puts playmakers in playmaking situations.
– Low risk way to get RB’s the ball in space.
• Very little blocking.
– Only block players from the C gap out on Rocket.
– Only block players from the B gap out on Jet.
 Why the Rocket and Jet?
• Easy audible for QB.
– Numbering system is simple and only he needs
to know it.
• Much easier to install than to defend.
– Matter of reps with QB and RB’s.
– Speed of motions cause problems to defense.
– Blocking rules fit into terminology.
• Learning another play not another technique.
 Why the Rocket and Jet?
• Excellent Passing game off of motions.
– Can adjust other routes.
– Can add routes specific to the motion.
• Formation Friendly.
– Much simpler to use multiple formations
• Minimizes Stunts by defense.
– Stunts to motions can be taken advantage of.
• Assign Coaches to Gaps.
• Secondary must respond to motion.
– Must be prepared to play the run on the edge.
 Why the Rocket and Jet?
• Split End must be a threat.
– Can help the SE be a threat.
• Multiple Counters off of motions.
– Can be run to FB, WB, or HB
 Just Rocket, Just Jet, or Both?
• Both
• Jet is more a speed play.
– Tougher motion for defense to see.
– Not as many opportunities for back to make a “move”.
• Rocket allows back a better view of field.
– Good for bigger backs.
– Can cut back, up, or out.
– Can be run to any back. (WB, HB, & FB)
• Plays compliment each other along with others.
 QB Play
• Rocket
– Open to Play
– Step to Pitch
– Pitch with “body”
– Nothing else matters but
making good pitch
– Aiming point should be the
same regardless of who
rocket back is.
– Release point must be up
and down not side to side
• Jet
– 180 Spin towards play
– Ball should stay at belly
button
– Ball only needs to go into
jetbacks belly if it is a jet
sweep.
– Should reach 180 at same
time as back arrives
– Continuous movement w/
fake to fb and boot away
from play
 Motion Back Play
• Rocket Back • Jet back
– Motion should take to – Motion should take to
outside leg of PST on outside leg of BSG on
snap regardless of snap regardless of
starting point. starting point.
– Focus on pitch and – Focus on landmarks
nothing else. – BE FAST
– Read edge blocks to
make appropriate cut
 Rocket Rules
PE Block On or Over(BLOCK DE IF AT ALL
POSSIBLE)
PT Pull through heels of nearest outside
defender on LOS up to free safety
PG Scoop to playside and stop penetration
C Scoop to playside and stop penetration
BG P. O. A.
BT P. O. A.
BE P. O. A.
 Rocket Rules
1 Open to playside, step to and make pitch to rocket back.
Fake to FB and carry out bootleg

2 If 28 sweep, go in rocket motion, CATCH PITCH, run to alley

at 8 hole and get up the field
If 47 sweep, BLOCK THE FIRST MAN ON OR OVER PAST
OUR LAST MAN ON LOS.

3 Let WB receive ball and carry out trap fake

4 If 47 sweep, go in rocket motion, CATCH PITCH, run to alley

at 7 hole and get up the field
If 28 sweep, BLOCK THE FIRST MAN ON OR OVER PAST
OUR LAST MAN ON LOS.
 Jet Rules
PE Block On or Over(BLOCK DE IF AT ALL
POSSIBLE)
PT Block On, or Over
PG Pull around WB and SEAL inside
C Scoop to playside and stop penetration
BG P. O. A.
BT P. O. A.
BE P. O. A.
 Jet Rules
1 Make 180 degree turn from center and hand ball to WB.
Fake to FB and carry out bootleg
2 If 28 sweep, go in jet motion, get ball, make 90 degree
turn at 8 hole and get up the field
– If 47 sweep, BLOCK THE FIRST MAN ON OR OVER
PAST OUR LAST MAN ON LOS.
3 Let WB receive ball and carry out trap fake
4 If 47 sweep, go in jet motion, get ball, belly back around
WB, make 90 degree turn at 7 hole and get up the field
– If 28 sweep, BLOCK THE FIRST MAN ON OR OVER
PAST OUR LAST MAN ON LOS.
 Formations
• Formation use on these plays is left to imagination
and system.
– Basic principles stay the same.
– Simple to teach and difficult to defend.
• Use of formations makes stunts and keys much
tougher.
• Multiple options for both
– Rocket has more flexibility
– Many are now running them from the gun.
Rip
Ace Rocket Sweep

$ F
S M
C C
E T N T W
 Red Rocket Sweep

$ F
S M
C C
E T N T W
Blue Rocket Sweep

$ F
S M
C C
E T N T W
Ace Right Rocket Sweep

$
C F
S M
C
E T N T W
Ace Left Rocket Sweep

F
$ C
S M
C
E T N T W
3 Back Rocket Sweep

$ F
S M
C C
E T N T W
 Rip Loose Rocket Sweep

F
$
S M
C C
E T N T W
 Rocket and Jet Sweeps
• Overheads
• Video
ROCKET AND JET SWEEP FROM
MULTIPLE FORMATIONS

Patrick R. Elder
Head Football Coach
Richmond-Burton Comm. High School
Pelder@rbchs.com