Offensive shifts

Coach- I am looking for some terminology on shifting from one formation to another. (as long as you are set before the snap or any motion it is legal). What I am looking for is a simple way to call shifts in the huddle. Any help on this topic would be appreciated.

These can take many forms. You can shift from anything TO anything using this terminology:

SHIFTING IS A BIG PART OF THE OFFENSE: HERE IS THE BASIC “SHIFT” TERMINOLOGY:

#1 “SHIFT” = H & RB
#2 “STEM” = Y & RB
#3 “SHAFT” = H, Y, & RB
#4 “POP” = WR’s LINE UP TIGHT & SHIFT OUT
#5 “SINK” = WR’s LINE UP WIDE & SHIFT IN
#6 “EXPLODE” = ALL 5 ELIGIBLES SHIFT (A COMBO OF “SHAFT” & EITHER “POP” OR “SINK”).

SHIFTING & MOTIONING TO NUMEROUS “FINISHED FORMATIONS” IS A MAJOR PART OF THE OFFENSE! NOTE: IF NOT SHIFTING OR GOING IN MOTION – GO ON A VERY QUICK COUNT!!!!!


SCATTER IS GOOD ALSO: After huddle break - you have the 5 eligibles in a straight horizontal line (X/H/R/Y/Z) 5 yds behind the LOSA, with the QB behind them - and upon the command "SCATTER" - they go to the formation called! describe these further via email. They look almost totally different EACH WEEK!

PS: IF we choose to MOTION after shifting - here is the motion terminology:

MOTION TEMINOLOGY

MOTION TOWARDS FORMATION CALL:
Z = ZOOM
TE = FLY
HB = MOTION
X = OX

MOTION AWAY FROM FORMATION CALL:
Z = ZING
TE = LEAP
HB = WHIZ
X = X-IT

MOTION TOWARDS BALL & RETURN:
Z = FAKE ZOOM
TE = FAKE FLY
HB = FAKE WHIZ OR FAKE MOTION
X = FAKE OX OR FAKE X-IT

NOTE: “H” IN SHORT MOTION TO BLOCK INSIDE = BANG!

Thanks, Coach

One Back - Can you explain more or send me some material on your shifts via e-mail? myersg@lake-lehman.k12.pa.us

Coaches,

I run a spread that employs motion on almost EVERY PLAY. The MAIN reason, among all the excellent reasons Bill has listed above, that I do it for is to make the defense show the cover scheme (man or zone) and to create mismatches with my receivers vs. their DB's. The coaching point that he offers about if your not going to shift or motion on a play, ALWAYS (IMO) go on a quick count. This tactic, in it'self (going on a quick count) is a stapel in the Qbs bag to discern type of coverage being shown in the PSL. If motion doesn't give you a good read, then quick counts will!!!

Coach Easton

The one that I have seen employed is with a simple "taxi" call. The QB will call a set in the huddle, then "taxi" then the set the play will be run out of, then the play. The team will line up in the first set. The QB will signal the shift, the team will shift and run the play.

Coaches:

Any player can shift!
Another thing to remember is that SET is a position, not a command. Just because the QB yells SET, if the offense has not yet come to the SET POSITION, then they are not set. The command SHIFT can mean for the entire offense to move at the same time to a completely different formation if you really want it to, and if you have the time!!! MOTION IS A DIFFERENT STORY. MOST MOTION DOES NOT TAKE PLACE UNTIL THE REST OF THE SQUAD HAS ATTAINED THE SET POSITION, THUS ONLY ONE MAN CAN GO IN MOTION IN OUR FOOTBALL, UNLIKE CANADA WHICH PERMITS 2 MEN TO BE IN MOTION AT THE SAME TIME.

Most teams only shift a few players at one time. For example: I often come out in double tite, full house backfield. On the command shift from the QB the two TE flex to a distance of 14 yds off the ball. The FB stays home and the two running backs shift into WB positions on either side of the tackles. NOT GETTING PENALIZED FOR DELAY OF GAME REALLY PREVENTS WHOLESALE SHIFTS, THUS MOST FOLKS ONLY SHIFT A FEW. My reason for shifting is simply to try and catch the defense in a bad alignment by getting to the LOS and then shifting with expediency, and HAVING YOUR QB KNOW HE MUST NOT WAIT FOR THE DEFENSE TO ADJUST!!! HE MUST GET THE PLAY UNDERWAY IF YOUR TO ACCOMPLISH THE REAL PURPOSE OF THE SHIFT.

Coach Easton

LLCOACH - there is really no simple calrifcation of shift rules. You can shift from ANY formation TO any OTHER formation. You merely must be able to COMMUNICATE it. The terms I listed above are OUR way of communicating it (shifts & motions).

Call me at 804-740-4479 if you do not understand. The possibilities are ENDLESS (you could not DIAGRAM all the possibilities in your LIFETIME)!!!!!

Bill

PS: There are SHIFTS (where the shifters stop & get set), & there are MOTION-SHIFTS (where you motion somewhere & THEN get set). You can also motion again after a shift OR a motion shift).

Perhaps the EASIEST of ALL shifts (one that Joe Gibbs used from 1981-1992) is "SCATTER":

“SCATTER” (THIS “BLOWS THE MIND” OF MANY DEFENSES)

CALL FORMATION/MOTION (IF NEEDED)/PLAY - IN HUDDLE. AFTER BREAKING THE HUDDLE - LINE UP IN “SCATTER” & MAKE A QUICK SHIFT TO THE FINISHED FORMATION BEFORE DEFENSE CAN GET SET!

EXAMPLE: “SCATTER TO SPREAD LT”

BEFORE:

-T-G-C-G-T

-X-H-R-Y-Z (5 yds deep)

------Q


AFTER:

-------------------Y-T-G-C-G-T--------------------X
Z-------------------------Q------------H

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

THEN – MOTION OCCURS (IF CALLED)!

YOU CAN "SCATTER" TO ANYTHING!




PS: JERRY CAMPBELL (if you read this): It was a pleasure meeting you at the MEGA Clinic in Atlantic City this weekend! You did a FANTASTIC job speaking! Hope our paths cross again soon!

Bill

Greg - I don't recall that EXACT shift. we "EXPLODE" to unbalanced:

BEFORE ("U" = 2nd TE):

U-O-O-C-O-O-Y
--------Q---------H--------------------Z

__R


AFTER:

--O-O-C-O-O-Y-H
U------Q-----------------Z

--------R

U just stepped back; H stepped up; Z shifted IN; R shifted over. You are NOW in UNBALANCED LINE RIGHT!


After all that - we USUALLY motioned "U" over just outside "H" - giving us 6 men to the right of Center, & only 2 to the left! The number of plays you can use is ENDLESS & depends TOTALLY on your offensive thinking!

ALL my shift & motion thinking is described in above posts. That's about all there is. Thru what I described - you can dhift FROM any formation ever inventer - TO any formation ever invented!!!

Since you live in the Richmond area, call me if you would like to discuss this via phone (@ 740-4479)

PS: A GREAT unbalanced line look we shift to out of "SCATTER" (see my above post of 1/23) is below:

--------------------Y-G-C-G-T-T---------------------X
Z---------------H-------Q

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

This is a Dan Henning FAVORITE (when he was with Skins, as well as now with Panthers). You have a preponderence of running strength to your RIGHT, & 3 eligible to you left!!!!! Defense must CHOOSE WHERE TO ALIGN SECONDARY DEFENDERS TO BE SOUND IN RUN SUPPORT RIGHT & PASS COVERAGE LEFT! As to the TYPE of plays to run - select them from YOUR offense!!!!!

DJ,

The answer to the TE shifting question is YES. Does a linemens hand have to be on the ground to be set, NO. Think about your passing pro stance, where the OL hands never go to the ground, see my point?
I'm not familiar with shifting and then setting and then motioning again. To me, the set position is when the team is totally still with only the motion man moving. They must be in this posture for a full second in order to be considered SET. Bill describes a motion where they do that, but I'm not familiar with it if I am following him correctly. One thing you can count on is the fact that if Bill says it, you can count on it being 100% correct.

Coach Easton

Coach Reno,

Thanks a lot about the QB tip. That was my next question....so let me get this straight. The correct way to shift is as follows: The offense breaks the huddle and lines up in a formation. The QB does NOT put his hands under the center. The offense sets for a full second or two. The QB than calls "shift" (or whatever) and the offense than shifts into another formation. When the offense gets set again, the QB hands go under the center. Now if you want you can send someone across in motion.

Is this correct?

DJTrap2

I really think shifts aren't used enough at the high school level.