Formation. It was subsequently adopted by many other college programs in the 1970s, including Alabama and Oklahoma, who also won national titles with variations of the offense. Others attribute the origins to Hugh Wyatt, a Double Wing coach (See Double Wing discussion below). The following is a list of common and historically significant formations in American football. - Shotgun Trips HB Weak. Both guards, both tackles, a tight end, and a receiver line up on the line of scrimmage. If you are a returning member, please update your contact information and password. You've got the two wide outs called "X" (left side) and "Z" (right side). Let's hear the rules straight from the horse's mouth. [21] Historically, it was used to great success as a primary formation in the NFL by the Tom Landry-led Dallas Cowboys teams of the 1970s and the 1990s Buffalo Bills teams under Marv Levy, who used a variation known as the K-gun that relied on quarterback Jim Kelly. It was functionally replaced by the more versatile 43. The 4-3 defense requires four defensive linemen and three linebackers. The second is by converting the ends of a wide tackle six to safeties (the defensive ends of a wide tackle six already have pass defense responsibilities). The Singleback Deuce Wing has both tight ends line up in wing positions. 5. When we say wing, we mean off the line of scrimmage. We are also unsure which letter is assigned the other RB (typically it's "H", but that would mean a different letter would be necessary when in Blue), or if it matters which RB is on the left or right of the quarterback in any given two-back formation. It is generally a balanced formation, and there are backs on both sides of the tailback, offering better pass protection. [30] It was called the "Umbrella" defense because of the four defensive backs, whose crescent alignment resembled an opened umbrella, and the tactic of allowing the defensive ends to fall back into pass coverage, converting the defense, in Owen's language, from a 614 into a 416. Or, if you need help develop fundamental offensive skills, don't miss our drill collections covering quarterbacks, offensive line, running backs and receivers. Hopefully you're now equipped to identify around 80 percent of the formations the Cougs will set up in. Of all North American sports, football has the most rules. Below are some of the most popular defensive formations through the history of football. The Singleback Dice is the Colts version of the Singleback Doubles. The Singleback (Ace) formation consists of one running back lined up about five to six yards yards behind the quarterback. Two standup players (Monster and Rover) are in "5" techniques. It allows defenses more flexibility in man to man coverages and zone blitzes. The Singleback Trey Open has the tight end lined up farther outside of the right tackle. The single wing has recently had a renaissance of sorts with high schools; since it is so rare, its sheer novelty can make it successful. This causes the defensive line to also spread out, creating gaps the offense can exploit.[3]. The two receivers line up on the same side. Often, matchup advantages can be spotted before the play starts, [6][7][8] Second, one of the running backs is stationed outside the end, as a wingback (hence the alternate longer name, "single wingback formation"). Any defense consisting of six defensive backs. The player receiving the snap is usually not a good passer, so defenses can bring linebackers and defensive backs closer to the line of scrimmage to clog potential running lanes. OFF the LOS. This formation, as you might expect, is a power run formation. The TE2 lines up next to the LT. With Markham's success came many converts to his offense and many variations of the offense over the years. The flexbone formation is a variation of the wishbone formation. Two other I formation variations include the Maryland I and the Power I. (This is shown in the images above) Essentially a covered receiver is an eligible receiver on the line of scrimmage who is not on the outside of the formation. 3 Outside Receiver. Again we see that "Rip" will move Y off the ball and Z on. Though it This system is designed to use as few words as possible. Quick Slants works as a great change-up to slow developing pass plays. The flanker lines up off the line of scrimmage, while the slot lines up on the line of scrimmage. 5 below.). X Receiver On each. The TE2 lines up next to the LT. A good portion of the pass plays are especially drawn up for the Colts offense. The wishbone was developed in the 1960s by Emory Bellard, offensive coordinator at the University of Texas under head coach Darrell Royal. There is no 4 receiver set out of the single back anymore. in open space, but rather when he is moving towards a space that is open (or blitz has time to get to him. 21 . defensive backfield. Despite having two tight ends, this is a balanced formation that can be found in several playbooks. [45][46][47][48] Strong safeties are often the more physical of the safeties, often resembling linebackers, so a Nickel with the extra safety can be more effective against the run than one with an extra corner. The NFL also made a rule regarding the receiving team's formation in 2018. The Singleback Ace has one tight end lined up on the right of the right tackle and one lined up on the left of the left tackle. This is almost exclusively a passing formation used to spread the field, often to open up short inside routes or screen routes. The split end and flanker line up opposite each other out wide. There are many variations of this formation in the game. Y - To the call. [29] On passing downs, the Mike (middle linebacker) is often responsible to cover any running backs, the Sam (strong-side linebacker) covers the Tight End, and the Will (weak-side linebacker) either covers a back or blitzes in an attempt to sack the quarterback. The Emory & Henry formation was revived in the 1990s by Florida and South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, who coined its commonly used name when he explained that he'd seen Emory and Henry College run it in the 1950s. The tight end lines up on the same side as the flanker and slot, but on the line of scrimmage. Below is a chart detailing each wide receiver versus cornerback matchup for Week 4, target rates, cornerback yards per target and reception, catch rate allowed, yards and fantasy points per target allowed. It saw use during the 1950s in Owen's hands, but never became a significant base defense. The slot and tight end line up on the line of scrimmage, while the flanker and split end line up off the line of scrimmage. The split end and flanker line up off the line of scrimmage, while the inside receiver lines up on the line of scrimmage. However, since the defense is typically used only in the last few seconds of a game when the defensive team need only keep the offense from scoring a touchdown, giving up a few yards in the middle of the field is inconsequential. The two slot receivers line up on the right and off the line of scrimmage. It can also be used similarly to a flexbone formation, with the receivers closest to the center acting as wing backs in an option play. The flanker and split end line up wide opposite each other. In 2018, the NFL further amended the rules on the kickoff formation. This creates a line that is weighted toward the right of the center. Designed specifically to fit the Dolphins personnel, the Singleback Dolphin Trips has the tight end, slot receiver, and flanker all lined up on the same side, while the split end lines up on the opposite side wide. You also need a quarterback with a good arm, and a running back who is adept at reading his blocks. [36][32][37][38] As the T formation grew popular in the 1940s, this formation was replaced in the NFL with the 5-3 and the 5-2 defenses. An unusual formation, the swinging gate consists of a center all alone with the quarterback lined up behind him in shotgun. Sure, but depending on how, only a certain number of them can be eligible. Chicago rode this defense into a 151 season in 1985, culminating in a 4610 win over New England in Super Bowl XX. The flanker lines up in the slot on the left, while the split end lines up out wide on the left. We would guess either "Blue" and "Green" are given a Pistol set modifier, or these formations could have their own color names. The seventh defensive back is often an extra safety, and this defense is used in extreme passing situations (such as to defend against a Hail Mary pass). Like with the Slingshot formation, this is designed to stretch the Thus started what was known as the three-end formation. Clark Shaughnessy designed the formation from the T Formation in 1949 after acquiring halfback Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch. Then you've got the two slots called the "Y" and the "H" (you can move then around the formation as you please but most often the H is on the left, and the Y is on the right). The WR1 lines up in the slot off the line of scrimmage. 2013: 35.4. The two receivers line up on the same side. The LB's have hook zones. on short passing plays, with the intent of the QB releasing the ball before a Kickoff formations are usually in a straight line, with ten players (nine if a placeholder is used on the kickoff) lined up across the field several yards behind the ball. Most offenses do not run four verticals out of bunch sets because of the spacing. However, the flexbone is considered more "flex"-ible than the wishbone because, since the wingbacks line up on the line of scrimmage, more run / pass options and variations are possible. Shaughnessy thought he would make a great receiver but already had two great receivers in Tom Fears and Bob Shaw. Against two-receiver offensive sets, this formation is effective against the run and the pass. c. Illegal Shift. There are no rules regarding the formation of defensive players or their movement before the snap of the ball as the choice of when to snap the ball is that of the offense which would consequently deprive the defense of an opportunity to take a set position. 3. This is by no means comprehensive, and there are some gray areas we aren't sure on, but every formation detailed below was used in the ASU, UCLA and Apple Cup games. A formation similar to the Flexbone, though much older, is known as the "Delaware Wing-T" was created by longtime University of Delaware coach and NCAA Rules Committee chairman David M. Nelson, and perfected by his successor Tubby Raymond. Because it is generally more difficult to establish a rushing attack using only the shotgun, most NFL teams save the shotgun for obvious passing situations such as 3rd and long or when they are losing and must try to score quickly. Therefore 10 personnel has 1 RB and 0 TE. The split end lines up out wide left on the line of scrimmage. with flankers to the inside. Carroll, Bob, Gershman, Michael, Neft, David, and Thorn, John, "List of formations in American football", Learn how and when to remove this template message, "7 on the line 4 in the backfield" convention, How the Wildcat Reignited the 'fins, USA Today, December 12, 2008, Taking another pass with the Wildcat, ESPN, U-M's Shotgun Offense is Older than the Winged Helmets Themselves, Pro Football Formations 1: In the Beginning, "Red Hickey, 89; NFL Player, Coach Invented Shotgun Formation", "HISTORY WITH HAYES: Before college football coaching fame, Conley Snidow led Tazewell's hoops team to 1940 state title", "Bengals use 3-lineman formation against Seahawks", "Watch: Cincinnati Bengals line up in 'Star Wars' formation", "American Football Monthly - The Magazine For Football Coaches", "Stack 3-3 Zone Blitzes | Scholastic.com", "3-3-5 Defense: Entertainment and Football Definition", "Speed, position switches define TCU way", Article on the history of the Split T formation, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_formations_in_American_football&oldid=1132996395, CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from May 2012, All articles needing additional references, Articles with disputed statements from April 2012, Articles needing additional references from July 2009, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2009, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 11 January 2023, at 19:15. Schaughnessy moved Hirsch to the flanker position behind the right end. Notice the WR on the left and right are not mirrors of each other. The split end lines up out wide on the left on the line of scrimmage. The flanker lines up in the slot, while the split end lines up outside of him. It is often referred to as the "bastard child of the I and the Wing-T". The 52 defense consists of five defensive linemen, two linebackers, and four defensive backs (two corners, two safeties). The formation has also been used as a basis for trick plays such as a backwards pass to a player near the sideline followed by forward pass down the field. The split end lines up out wide on the left. The short punt is an older formation popular when scoring was harder and a good punt was an offensive weapon. In obvious onside kick formations, more players are moved to the front of the formation, usually top wide receivers and other players who are good at recovering and catching loose balls; this formation is known as the "hands team". This also allows the smaller halfbacks to hide behind the offensive line, causing opposing linebackers and pass-rushing defensive linemen to play more conservatively. [31][32] It grew in importance as the 1940s progressed, as it was more effective versus the T than the other standard defense of the time, the 62. . The wishbone is a common formation for the triple option offense in which the quarterback decides after the snap whether to hand the ball to the fullback for a run up the middle, pitch the ball to a running back on the outside, or keep the ball and run it himself. They may choose to attempt to block the punt, or drop back to block for the receiver. 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