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This is a continued series on how to read and defend offensive formations pre-snap. We will discus the pre-snap formation assessment of West Virginia’s Head Football Coach and offensive architect Dana Holgorsen. We will give an in-depth look at some of the formational intent that defines this master architect. NEXT TOPIC: Mike Leach Head Football Coach Washington State University
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Theoretical Football
“Theoretical football is the notion that American football is an exceedingly complex sport that requires a branch of learning. Its goal is to accentuate the cerebral, academic, and quantifiable
aspects of American football.” - Denauld William Brown
Contact Twitter: @theofootball Email: [email protected]
Defending The Best Offensive Minds
Topic: Dana Holgorsen
By Denauld William Brown
This is a continued series on how to read and defend offensive formations pre-snap. We will discus the pre-snap formation
assessment of West Virginia’s Head Football Coach and offensive architect Dana Holgorsen.
We will give an in-depth look at some of the formational intent that defines this master architect.
NEXT TOPIC: Mike Leach
Head Football Coach
Washington State University
X
Reading and understanding
formations pre-snap is all
about eliminating scenarios
rather than guessing
tendencies. The first question
you need to ask when
defending this formation is
what is the offense NOT
going to do? Is the formation
balanced or unbalanced
should be the second
question? Notice this slot
formation with the
quarterback under center.
Balanced sets always lend
for equals distribution of the
offensive eligible players
once the ball is snapped in
both the running and passing
games. Balanced formations
are always great play
action sets because the
running back in this case is
behind the center. The
running back who happens
to be #3 or MO, as we call
him, is in the “Middle” “Of”
the 5 offensive eligible
players. He sets the tone of
the formation. The
quarterback under center
always gives you a strong
play action expectation. This
is a great set and it tells you
how savvy of a play caller
Dana Holgorsen is. Slot sets
are great foundational
formations for a collective
sequence of calls. Most 2
back sets that divide the
backs like this usually have
strong tendencies, especially
when placed in the middle of
the field. However adding
the slot element with this
back field set reinstates its
multiplicity.
Pro Slot
Number of running backs: 2
Number of receivers: 2
Number of Tight ends: 1
Formation Type: Male
Formation demeanor: Run
X
Pistol sets are a relatively new
phenomena in the college football
landscape. They add an
interesting dynamic to the
relationship between the
quarterback and running back.
The question that should be asked
is if the running back being in the
pistol really effects the other
offensive eligible players and the
answer is absolutely yes! Running
the ball without a TE is a challenge
for an offense. A challenge that
needs to be met with ingenuity.
One way to negate the effects of
not having a TE is by placing the
running back deep in the back
field to create natural cut back
lanes. Trips sets like this one have
duel personalities depending on
where the offense is located on the
field? This set is on the hash so the
width of the “Z” or #1 to the trips
side needs to be gauged as a
threat or not in the passing game
first? Once that is established
defending this formation can
become less stressful knowing who
will likely be the targeted ball
carrier once the ball is snapped.
Pro Trips
Number of running backs:1
Number of receivers:4
Number of Tight ends: 0
Formation Type: Female
Formation demeanor: Pass
X
Split back sets are always difficult to deal with as a defender. Split
back sets are a great alternative if you do not have, or like to use a
blocking TE. As you can see the motion of the running back should
immediately put the defense on high alert! Not only has a true trips
formation been created pre-snap, but you also have a semi-quads
look with the “F” also being offset to the newly created trips side. The
depth of the running back in motion gives an outlet option for the
quarterback if all else fails in the passing game. A good question to
ask is if the this formation will still be a good running formation after
the motion?
Pro
Number of running backs: 2
Number of receivers: 3
Number of Tight ends: 0
Formation Type: Female
Formation demeanor: Pass
X
This is a very interesting formation.
This formation likely has several
“bread & butter” plays that will
be used out of it. What
immediately grabs your attention
is the pistol back along with the
offset fullback. This creates a
“triangle” effect when you include
the quarterback into this discussion.
Misdirection immediately comes
into mind in this particular
formation. The fullback is
considered “MO” or number #3 in
this case. His proximity to the
quarterback should create an
expectation that he will cross the
formation once the ball is
snapped. This expectation is
confirmed by the running back
being in the pistol position and the
reality that the formation is into
the boundary. The running back
has the ability to become the
“new” #3 immediately after the
ball is snapped. This is a true
indicator of the great multiplicity
that Dana Holgorsen has designed
in this offensive formation.
Pro
Number of running backs: 2
Number of receivers: 3
Number of Tight ends: 0
Formation Type: Female
Formation demeanor: Pass
X
Inverted sets are great to talk about because it takes you to the
formation that it was originally inverted from. In this case the
wishbone. Every defensive football coach in America should have the
privilege to defend against a wishbone formation at least one time in
their career to appreciate the beauty of this once common formation.
Like other formations that were previously discussed, whenever you
have an undeclared “MO” or #3 you will have defensibility issues.
Meaning that the formation is harder to defend because “MO” is
undeclared.
Pro
Number of running backs: 3
Number of receivers: 2
Number of Tight ends: 0
Formation Type: Male
Formation demeanor: Run