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: theoreticalfootball@gmail.com

Defending The Best Offensive Minds

Topic: Chris Petersen

Head Football Coach Boise State University

By Denauld William Brown

This is a continued series on how to read and defend offensive formations pre-snap. We will discuss the pre-snap formations run by

Boise State University Head Football Coach Chris Petersen. We are taking a detailed look at some of the formations that has lead

Chris Petersen to be one of the most successful football coaches in the college game. We will also give an in-depth look at some of

these formations intent that defines this master architect.

Next Topic: Kliff Kingsbury

Head Football Coach

Texas Tech University

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Boise State has had much success

over the last 8 years out witting

their opponent with a controlled

game plan that includes savvy

formation sequences and clock

controlling shifts and motions. A

team that shifts and moves around

like Boise State has a plan to

control the pace of the game, the

clock, and to make defenses adjust

constantly. Chris Petersen is an

impressive offensive mind and his

formations reflect Boise’s success.

This formation is what is called a

“4 Strong” formation. “4 strong”

meaning that 4 out of 5 possible

offensive eligible players are on

one side of the center as the other.

A few questions need to be asked

when evaluating and pre-snap

shifting offense. First, how does it

effect the defense when it comes to

adjustments? Secondly how does

the look and feel of the offense

change when it comes to a shifting

and motion plan during the course

of game? A good offense that is

balanced will likely be balanced in

multiple categories like motion both

left to right and right to left. The

same applies to shifting. A Boise

call sequence may simply call for a

shift or a motion at the time the

play was made in order to maintain

a totally balanced approach. This

particular “4 strong” formation has

multiple things going on. Notice the

“F” outside of the hash. Space

between the #2 or “F” receiver in

this case, and the “R” or near back

is created so that a particular

player can occupy that space

between the “F” and the “R”

usually post snap. In this case the

“Y” splits the difference between

the “F” and the “R” back pre-snap.

The “Y” almost forces the “R” to

shift away because there are too

many bodies that occupy that

space, especially when their is a TE

on the line of scrimmage. That

limits the amount of play calls an

offensive coordinator has on his

call sheet for this specific formation.

If a shift did not occur than a run

play away from the “F” could be

anticipated.

Pro

Number of running backs: 1

Number of receivers: 3

Number of Tight ends: 1

Formation Type: Female

Formation demeanor: Pass

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Motion to the boundary is

interesting in this formation. This

pistol formation with an offset back

reeks of a run play because of the

“Y” being on the line of scrimmage.

These formation assessments are

not about guessing plays but rather

anticipating what will not happen.

The motion by the “R” back creates

a 2x2 formation but now

fundamentally creates the illusion of

a balanced offensive set. This is a

drastic change from a 2 back pistol

formation to a 2x2 formation that

still has heavy run implication. The

“X” is also on the line of scrimmage

so that also increase the chances of

this being a run play. When teams

motion there is a sense that they

want to see something specific in

what the defense does? However

that approach might in fact minimize

what shifting and motion really

means to a Boise State philosophy.

The expectation of scoring must be

very high for Chris Petersen given

the amount of patience it takes to

execute such a detailed and

purposeful game plan. A scoring

expectation could also be tied to the

reality that Chris Petersen is always

one or two plays ahead of the

defense. A question that can be

asked is why does the “R” back step

to motion towards the “F” rather

than step to motion away from the

“F”?

Pro

Number of running backs: 2

Number of receivers: 3

Number of Tight ends: 0

Formation Type: Male

Formation demeanor: Run

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On several occasions we have discussed

unbalanced formations. Unbalanced

formations are all about re-centering the

formation. The “F” confirms that the new

center is the guard to the side of the “Y”.

What does the term new center really

mean? The focal point of a one back

formation is the back when he is

featured deep in the backfield. The “Y”

has now become the widest offensive

lineman. The “Y” can now be considered

the new “tackle”, the tackle now the

“new guard” and the guard now the

“new center.” The advantage of doing

this by Chris Petersen is increasing the

illusion of the “Y” still being a passing

threat. Most defensive coaches are

unwilling to “not” cover an offensive

player regardless of eligibility? A

question that can be asked is why would

a defensive coach cover an ineligible

offensive player? The motion by the “F”

puts him in direct alignment behind the

“new center.” This conclusion almost

guarantees that this play will not only be

a run but a run to the offenses left. Boise

State aligns into many unbalanced

formations along with shifting and

motion. This type of game plan is the

reason why they win. How can their own

defense benefit from this type of offense.

From a practice stand point their defense

has likely adjusted to every type of

unbalanced formation possible

Pro Unbalanced

Number of running backs: 2

Number of receivers: 3

Number of Tight ends: 0

Formation Type: Male

Formation demeanor: Run

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