Football Offensive Formations (2024)

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In football, a team needs to have a predetermined strategy going into a game for both sides of the ball. This includes knowing which players will play which positions, where those positions will line up, and how they will react to the opposing team’s strategies. Read on to learn more about the different offensive formations in football.

A basic principle of football is that the team on offense largely has control of the game. Since the offense has the ball, they can choose how to run plays. This makes the defense react and adjust their game planaccordingly.

Offensive formations must have seven players on the line of scrimmage and four in the backfield. This includes lining up one yard behind the line of scrimmage as a wide receiver.

Throughout the history of football, there have been certain popular strategies that dominate eras of the game. Some of these strategies have become so commonly used that they are referred to as formations and given specific names. Offenses recognize these formations as helpful strategies for certain game situations. On the other hand, defenses are able to make adjustments and figure out the respective schemes based on what formation an offense is lining up in.

List of Offensive Formations

Some of the most popular offensive formations include:

• Single Wing Formation
• T Formation
• I Formation
• Singleback
• Wildcat
• Shotgun
• Pistol
• Pro Set
• Double Wing Formation
• Swinging Gate
• Wishbone
• Flexbone
• Wing T
• Empty Backfield
• Goal Line Formation
• Victory
• Spread Offense

Single Wing Formation

In the game’s early days, when strength and power were valued over speed and skill, the single wing formation took the game by storm because of its newer misdirection and blocking options. In this formation, the ball is snapped not to the quarterback but to a fullback. This formation was used to trick defenses rather than overpower them.

T Formation

One popular alternative to the single wing was the T formation. The T formation could be used in many different variations, from the balanced and unbalanced T’s to the split T. The T formation features three running backs lined up behind the quarterback, forming a T shape and giving the formation its name.

A famous adaptation of the T formation is the pro formation, which uses two running backs split behind the quarterback and wide receivers at each end of the formation.

I Formation

The I formation may be the most popular formation in the history of the game. Its basic structure allowed for endless variations and plays out of a similar setup. The structure consists of a letter “I,” formed by two backs lining up directly behind the quarterback. The back closer to the quarterback is the fullback; the one farther away is called either the tailback, running back, or I-back.

Some of the variations on the I formation include the Power I, Maryland I, and I with an offset fullback. Although it has fallen out of favor at high levels of the game in recent years, the I formation remains a basic fundamental of many youth and high school teams across the country.

Singleback

The singleback is an adaptation of the I formation that spreads the field more with an extra receiver. It features only one running back and three receivers. This formation developed to allow the quarterback more passing options, which in turn opens up the run game by stretching the defense.

Wildcat

The wildcat formation was developed to confuse the defense in a more modern setting. It allows the running back to receive the snap instead of the quarterback. The running back can then find an optimal running lane and surprise the defense by sprinting in one direction immediately or instead throwing the ball to a receiver.

Shotgun

The shotgun formation is the most popular offensive formation in the modern game. It allows the quarterback to get right into a passing play and run the increasingly-popular zone read running offense.In a shotgun formation, the quarterback lines up about five yards directly behind the center, with a running back close beside them. The quarterback has the option of passing to several receivers or handing the ball off to the back for a running play.

The shotgun formation is the most common type of spread offense. Spread formations use between three and five wide receivers who stretch the defense, offer more passing routes, and open up the ground game.

Pistol

The pistol formation is like the shotgun formation, but the quarterback is positioned closer to the center, only three or four yards behind them. Another difference is that the pistol formation disguises the running back’s strong side by lining him up directly behind the quarterback, rather than beside them as in a shotgun.

The pistol is often used in spread and spread option offenses, as it offers both running and passing options. This makes it popular with college teams as well as NFL teams running a run-pass option (RPO) offense.

Pro Set

The pro set, also known as the “split backs” or “three-end formation,” resembles the I formation and has similar variations. What distinguishes the pro set is that the two backs line up “split”–or at oblique angles–behind the quarterback, rather than directly behind them in a line. A common variation of the pro set formation is to use a third wide receiver rather than the tight end

Double Wing Formation

Invented by Glenn “Pop” Warner, the double wing formation is popular in youth and high school football. Similar to the single wing formation, the double wing features two wingbacks, one on each side. The center lines up in the middle of the formation, rather than the off-center position used in the single wing.

Swinging Gate

The swinging gate formation is a unique trick play that is useful in short yardage situations. The center lines up on the line of scrimmage with the quarterback directly behind them. The tackles, guards, tight ends, and receivers all line up on the line of scrimmage but far away from the center laterally, crowding most of the players toward one or both of the sidelines.

This formation allows the quarterback the option of making a lateral pass to one of many potential receivers, with the center uniquely eligible as a receiver. The quarterback also has the choice of advancing the ball themself with a run, as the crowding of the offense toward the sidelines creates a significant hole in the defense.

Wishbone

The wishbone formation is a variation of the T formation. This formation is a triple option that is typically used for running plays.In the wishbone, the quarterback lines up under center, with the fullback directly behind him and two halfbacks behind the fullback split on either side, forming a “Y” or wishbone shape.

This formation forces defenders to decide which potential ball carrier to cover, allowing the quarterback to choose where to distribute the ball afterward. The wishbone formation was extremely popular in college football during the 1970s and 80s, but defenses have adapted to defend against it, making it less common at high levels of football today.

Flexbone

The flexbone formation is a triple option variation of the wishbone. In the flexbone, the quarterback lines up under center with a fullback directly behind them. Two other running backs line up slightly behind the line of scrimmage and outside of the offensive tackles, serving as slotbacks.

Once the quarterback receives the ball, they have the option to hand it off to the fullback, run it themselves, or pitch the ball to a trailing slotback.The flexbone is ideal for teams with smaller players, multiple strong running backs, and a less pass-intensive quarterback.

Wing T

The wing T is a hybrid offensive formation that can be extremely confusing for defenses. In this formation, the quarterback is lined up under center, with a fullback behind them and a tailback next to the fullback. A wingback lines up just outside of the tight end on the strong side, with a single split end on the weak side.

Empty Backfield

The empty backfield formation is one of the most pass-heavy formations used in football. It features no running backs and five wide receivers. The empty backfield is typically only used in situations where the defense already knows the quarterback will be passing, such as a third and long. The empty backfield formation is also used in desperation situations towards the end of a half or game when a team wants to run a “hail mary” or four verticals.

Goal Line Formation

The goal line formation is used when a team is either about to score from directly outside of the end zone or is close to getting a first down.It typically features the quarterback, three blocking tight ends, five linemen, two running backs, and no wide receivers. It is one of the most block-heavy running formations, as every other player besides one running back and the quarterback is tasked with blocking.

Victory Formation

The victory formation is used by teams when they are about to win the game by executing a quarterback kneel. The victory formation features the quarterback directly under the center, and is flanked by two blockers beside them and one directly behind. The victory formation is similar to the goal line formation in that almost every player is positioned on the offensive line in the middle of the field. The victory formation is designed to have maximum protection against a fumble.

SpreadOffense

The spread offense is a variation of the singleback formation.Popular among college programs, the main feature of the formation is the use of four wide receivers and no tight ends. Spread offense gets its name because the use of extra wide receivers spreads the defense out, forcing them to respect the potential of a passing play.

FAQ

Pages Related to Football Offensive Formations

• Football 4th Down
• Football Basics
• What Are the Various Defensive Positions in American Football?
• What Does a Cornerback Do in Football?
• Football Division Winners
• Football 3rd Down

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