1. Sports

About Football Glossary - Sweep

From , former About.com Guide

Definition: A running play in which two or more offensive linemen pull out of their stances and running toward the outside of the line of scrimmage, leading the running back who receives a handoff or pitch from the quarterback.
Examples:
On sweeps, many teams like to run a fake in the other direction first to slow down the pursuit.
Suggested Reading

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.