multiple formations

just try to make the blocking scheme simple and easy to do for your linemen. WIthout them your team wont do well.

Coach,

Basically our entire offesive structure is based upon that premise. We try to be able to run our base rushing attack from many different looks. We run the same type of 2-RB sets you see the "west coast" teams run, but we code these sets by a letter code, not by a color, because I think it's easier to teach the kids. Then, for the most part, our steps and landmarks are the same out of each formation.

Here's how it works:

"I" - I backfield. FB is 4 1/2 yards off LOS 3pt stance. TB is 7 yds off LOS 2 point stance. Both directly behind the QB.
"N"- Offset I, Near strength. FB is 4 1/2 yards off LOS, aligned near run strength in the B gap. TB is same as "I"
"F"- Offset I, Far from strength. FB is 4 1/2 yards off LOS, aligned far from run strength in the B gap. TB is same as "I"
"O"- Offset HB, Over to strength. FB is 4 1/2 yards off LOS, directly behind QB. HB is offset to strength, 4 1/2 yds off and directly behind the OT. Both in 2pt stances
"W"- Offset HB, aWay from strength. FB is 4 1/2 yards off LOS, directly behind QB. HB is offset aWay from strength, 4 1/2 yds off and directly behind the OT. both in 2 pt stances.
"B"- Basic splitbacks. HB's are aligned at 4 1/2 yards depth in the B gaps. Both in 3pt stances.

Because of the consistency in the alignments and the types of plays we run, you can run nearly every run play from a variety of looks. We keep our steps and landmarks as consistent as possible. We also run some single-back stuff, and the alignments, landmarks and steps are all the same as they would be for the TB in an I set.

Tiger,

After reading all the responses that you and oneback have shared on the board on shifting and motioning it made tons of sense to incorperate it. Shifting fits in with what we want to try to accomplish to the defense with are multiple formations and motions. We are going to have 3 formations that we will alternate during the season for each game that will be are base formation any time we shift. Thanks for all your insight on shifting.

JD

Sheen,

As far as running the counter out of different looks, you can block the backside with a tight end, fullback, or wide receiver from various formations and motions. You can run it to the open side out of doubles and have the slot block down, You can have the RB offset and run counter from that look as well. Look under all the posts by Oneback on the counter, he covers all this stuff.

we don't do it a lot, but it is a great idea. i know a coach that all they do is shift and motion and maybe runs 3 different plays. i've heard him say it doesn't matter where they start, its where they end up.

Coach,

We number our slots in a way very similar to what you use. We can use it to place our "Z" receiver when we are in a 2 RB set or we can use it to place both the Z and the H-back in a 1 RB set. We number the slots evens to the right and odds to the left to be consistent with our hole numbering system:

0- DOT SLOT Player takes the FB position in the "I". 3 pt stance. (can also be a stacked I with the Z receiver)
1/2-POWER SLOT Player takes a power position in the backfield. Lines up 4 1/2 yards deep in "B" gap. 3 pt. stance.
3/4-SNIFF SLOT Player takes a sniffer position directly behind the offensive tackle. 3 pt. stance.
5/6-WING SLOT Player takes a wing back alignment 1x1 off the alignment of the TE (or ghost TE if none). 2 pt stance.
7/8-FLANK SLOT Player takes a flanker alignment 10-14 yards split wide and 1 yard off the LOS. WR stance.

Hopefully this helps.

When we call a 2 RB formation, we use a letter to define the backfield set (see my post above) then a slot number to align the Z and a direction (right or left) to align the TE / SE. For example, "I8 rt." is just a pro-I with the TE and Z on the right and the SE on the left.

When we call a 1 RB formation, we replace the letter with another slot number. This first number tells the H-Back where to align, the second number still talks to the Z. For example, "68 rt." tells the H to line up wing rt, the Z to line up wide rt, and the TE is also on the right. The SE is left and the RB is in the home positon always.

This may put me in the minority, but I favor only a few formations. Our playbook will only have 4 formations: Twins Open, Unbalanced Twins, Trips, and Doubles.

i have been involved in those offenses that have a limited number of formations but we had quite a few plays. we were exclusively NO TE ... so being 4 wide, you only have 2 formations...doubles and trips open. you can mix around the arrangement of these receivers if you like, but in it's most basic form all you have is those 2 formations. well, you can add 2 more .. quads open and 3x2 by moving the back. still i wouldn't classify this as being multiple in your formations. we did it for several years. had tons of success with it cus we did get very good at what we did. only so many defensive looks we were going to get. we had a great deal of passing plays to mix things up to get different receivers the ball and attack all the various zones on the field. it works, just fine.

Simplicity is using MULTIPLE FORMATIONS is imperative.

We use the Joe Gibbs concept of teacing 8 formations merely by changing the alignment of ONE individual - "H" - & if you flip them opposite you have 16 formations.

Then, you can teach 8 MORE (16 more if you flip them opposite) just by changing the alignment of "Z" (flanker).

That would be 16 formations right & 16 formations left (or a TOTAL of 32) by moving 2 people ONLY from either a conventional PRO SET, or a conventional SLOT SET!!!!!

Our HS kids can pick this up by the end of the SECOND day of practice in August!

Just take either a PRO SET or a SLOT SET & align your "H" in ANY position. EXAMPLE (7 alignments for H):

PRO

X--------------------O-O-C-O-O-Y
-----------1-------2-----------------6------7------Z

----------------------3----4-----5

---------------------------R


SLOT (H in SAME 7 alignments).

X---------------------O-O-C-O-O-Y
-----Z------1------2------------------6------7

----------------------- 3----4----5

-----------------------------R

Now that's 14 DIFFERENT formations (28 if you flip them over). Don't know that you would need more. WE DON'T!!!!!

You can use two or three people at "H" depending on where he lines up. A WR type; a TE type; or a RB type.

We get split backs by putting H in position 3 or 5, & putting RB in "T" position (behind OT) opposite.

Our BEST formations are 1, 2, 6, 7 (ONEBACK SETS) because if we put him at 3, 4, 5 it SERIOUSLY IMPAIRS the Horizontal & Vertical stretch in the passing game, as well as bring an extra defender in the box (14% higher chance of failure in the running game because you need ONE MORE SUCCESSFUL BLOCK)!

We don't use position 4 ("I") at ALL - because our RB's CAN'T read their keys with a "big ass FB" in front of him. If we want H in position 3 or 5 - we MOTION HIM THERE fron any of the numbered positions.

I spent the day on the field with the Redskins at practice yesterday - this is THEIR system of FORMATION STRUCTURE!

PS: A survey was done a few years ago of the 10 top rushers in the NFL. The question was: "Do you like a FB in front of you in the "I"? All 10 replied "NO, - they blind me in my reads"!!! The Skins put Donny Warren in the "I" in front of Riggins in one game. Warren was 6'7 & 270. Riggins had the worse game of his career (he was GREAT at reading zone blocking - but with Warren in front of him, he was BLIND)!

We call it "TRAIN". "PRO-6" or "SLOT-6" is just FINE! Careful not to get too many numbers - if most kids are like me, they can't add & subtract!