Designed Disruption: How UIW Uses Motion to Create Complexity

Part 1: Hop Motion: A Simple Shift, a Subtle Stressor

Motion doesn't have to be complex to be dangerous. Incarnate Word proves that with one of the most basic tools in the play designer's toolbox: the “hop” motion. It’s just a wing, usually an H or H-Back, switching sides of the formation. That’s it. But what they do after the motion is where it gets interesting.

We used to call it “hop” simply because our H was hopping from one side to the other. But what makes UIW’s approach noteworthy is how that motion impacts the structure of the defense, especially when the H is a strength-setter.

Let’s break down three ways they leveraged this minor motion to create major headaches.

Boundary Stress and Easy Yards

The Cardinals line up empty, with a wing to the field. They “hop” him into the boundary to create a 3-man snag concept. Classic triangle: flat (the motion man), snag (outside WR), and corner (middle WR on the LOS).

On the back side? Quick game with a hitch outside, slant or seam inside to hold the field safety and keep the corner honest.

Here’s what’s beautiful: the hop motion triggers a reaction from the defense. The linebacker to the boundary has to process it all, and he hesitates. That’s all the QB needs to bang the snag in rhythm for a clean 5-yard gain on 1st and 10. Easy money.

The wing isn’t just switching sides… he’s redefining strength and becoming a spatial problem. That’s control without complexity.