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

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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 Virginias 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.

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Pro Slot Number of running backs: 2 Number of receivers: 2 Number of Tight ends: 1 Formation Type: Male Formation demeanor: Run

Reading and understanding offensive eligible players play action expectation. This formations pre-snap is all once the ball is snapped in is a great set and it tells you about eliminating scenarios both the running and passing how savvy of a play caller rather than guessing games. Balanced formations Dana Holgorsen is. Slot sets tendencies. The first question are always great play are great foundational you need to ask when action sets because the formations for a collective defending this formation is running back in this case is sequence of calls. Most 2 what is the offense NOT behind the center. The back sets that divide the going to do? Is the formation running back who happens backs like this usually have balanced or unbalanced to be #3 or MO, as we call strong tendencies, especially should be the second him, is in the Middle Of when placed in the middle of question? Notice this slot the 5 offensive eligible the field. However adding formation with the players. He sets the tone of the slot element with this quarterback under center. the formation. The back field set reinstates its Balanced sets always lend quarterback under center multiplicity. X for equals distribution of the always gives you a strong

Pro Trips Number of running backs:1 Number of receivers:4 Number of Tight ends: 0 Formation Type: Female Formation demeanor: Pass

Pistol sets are a relatively new not having a TE is by placing the phenomena in the college football running back deep in the back landscape. They add an field to create natural cut back interesting dynamic to the lanes. Trips sets like this one have relationship between the duel personalities depending on quarterback and running back. where the offense is located on the The question that should be asked field? This set is on the hash so the is if the running back being in the width of the Z or #1 to the trips pistol really effects the other side needs to be gauged as a offensive eligible players and the threat or not in the passing game answer is absolutely yes! Running first? Once that is established the ball without a TE is a challenge defending this formation can for an offense. A challenge that become less stressful knowing who needs to be met with ingenuity. will likely be the targeted ball One way to negate the effects of carrier once theX ball is snapped.

Pro Number of running backs: 2 Number of receivers: 3 Number of Tight ends: 0 Formation Type: Female Formation demeanor: Pass

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

This is a very interesting formation. expectation that he will cross the This formation likely has several formation once the ball is bread & butter plays that will snapped. This expectation is be used out of it. What confirmed by the running back immediately grabs your attention being in the pistol position and the is the pistol back along with the reality that the formation is into offset fullback. This creates a the boundary. The running back triangle effect when you include has the ability to become the the quarterback into this discussion.new #3 immediately after the Misdirection immediately comes ball is snapped. This is a true into mind in this particular indicator of the great multiplicity formation. The fullback is that Dana Holgorsen has designed considered MO or number #3 in in this offensive formation. this case. His proximity to the quarterback should create an X

Pro Number of running backs: 3 Number of receivers: 2 Number of Tight ends: 0 Formation Type: Male Formation demeanor: Run

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.