Student Body Right
Encyclopedia
Student Body Right is the popular nickname for a simple running play in American football
known as a sweep
right, in which the tailback
runs toward the right end of his offensive line at the snap of the ball and receives a pitch from his quarterback
before reaching the line of scrimmage
, while his fullback
, offensive tackle, and end move from the left side pull to the same side in order to serve as lead blockers for the ball carrier.
as head coach of the University of Southern California Trojans
during the mid-1960s. The popular explanation for the nickname is that in quarters during which USC was headed toward the end zone which contained student seating, the tailback would appear to be running toward the student section at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
, where USC played its home games, before cutting upfield. According to others the nickname emerged because when all the blockers were in place to protect the ball carrier it would appear, from the point of view of a defender, that the entire USC student body was leading the play.
The play was very similar to the Packer Sweep utilized by the Green Bay Packers of the 1960s under coach Vince Lombardi
, and was also similar to sweep plays run by the Miami Dolphins
and Pittsburgh Steelers
dynasties of the 1970s.
In 21st Century football, linebackers and defensive ends usually have sufficient speed to catch running backs from behind, making sweep plays much less effective.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
known as a sweep
Sweep (American football)
A sweep is a running play in American football where the running back takes a pitch or handoff from the quarterback and starts running parallel to the line of scrimmage, allowing for the offensive linemen and fullback to get in front of him to block defenders before he turns upfield.- QB sweep :A...
right, in which the tailback
Tailback
Tailback can mean:* Halfback * A line of motor vehicles caught up in traffic congestion; a traffic jam...
runs toward the right end of his offensive line at the snap of the ball and receives a pitch from his quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
before reaching the line of scrimmage
Line of scrimmage
In American and Canadian football a line of scrimmage is an imaginary transverse line beyond which a team cannot cross until the next play has begun...
, while his fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
, offensive tackle, and end move from the left side pull to the same side in order to serve as lead blockers for the ball carrier.
Origins
The origins of the nickname date to the tenure of John McKayJohn McKay (football coach)
John Harvey McKay was an American football player and coach. He was served as the head coach at the University of Southern California from 1960 to 1975 and of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1976 to 1984. In 16 seasons with the USC Trojans, McKay compiled a record of 127–40–8 and...
as head coach of the University of Southern California Trojans
USC Trojans
The USC Trojans are the athletic teams representing the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California. While the men's teams are nicknamed the Trojans, the women's athletic teams are referred to as either the Trojans or Women of Troy...
during the mid-1960s. The popular explanation for the nickname is that in quarters during which USC was headed toward the end zone which contained student seating, the tailback would appear to be running toward the student section at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a large outdoor sports stadium in the University Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, at Exposition Park, that is home to the Pacific-12 Conference's University of Southern California Trojans football team...
, where USC played its home games, before cutting upfield. According to others the nickname emerged because when all the blockers were in place to protect the ball carrier it would appear, from the point of view of a defender, that the entire USC student body was leading the play.
The play was very similar to the Packer Sweep utilized by the Green Bay Packers of the 1960s under coach Vince Lombardi
Vince Lombardi
Vincent Thomas "Vince" Lombardi was an American football coach. He is best known as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers during the 1960s, where he led the team to three straight league championships and five in seven years, including winning the first two Super Bowls following the 1966 and...
, and was also similar to sweep plays run by the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
dynasties of the 1970s.
Later years
In the later years of the 20th Century and early 21st, sweep plays such as Student Body Right became less common in professional and upper-level college football. This is generally believed to be the result of greatly increased speed and athletic ability of linebackers and defensive ends on typical teams, as compared to earlier eras.In 21st Century football, linebackers and defensive ends usually have sufficient speed to catch running backs from behind, making sweep plays much less effective.