how to read offensive formations from the defense perspective.pdf

Formation Defensibility Rating (FDR)

Personality of a Formation

by

Denauld William Brown

This is an excerpt chapter called “Personality of a formation.” This chapter is part of a broader based

work on the 531 Triangle Defensive concept. The Formation Defensibility Rating” (FDR) measures the

tactical strengths of football formations by using a particular set of criteria and principles after many

years of conceptual football and tactical study. These criteria are perspectival by both offense and

defense.

A description of the tactical strengths and weakness is presented to give the reader a greater

understanding of the “pre-snap” intentions and motivations that certain formation manipulations can

present during the course of a football contest. These formations are categorized by gender and then

evaluated on scoring capability.

1

0

2

0

3

0

1 0

2

0

3 0

X

This pistol T formation

is a tough one to

defend. The formation

has a loaded backfield

that is both balanced

and poised for

misdirection and

multiple option plays.

There are 4 running

back threats in the

back field and the

offensive plays that can

be run out of this

particular set should be

more of a concern than

the formation its self.

The lack of robust

vertical passing game

is indicative of this

formations low rating

of 1.2 / 5.0 However

don’t be fooled by the

rating. True option

teams will run the ball

in long yardage

situations if they get a

favorable look by the

defense.

Pistol T Formation

Number of running backs: 3

Number of receivers: 2

Number of Tight ends: 0

Formation Type: Female

Formation demeanor: Run

FDR

RATING

1.2/5.0

A 2.00

B 0.00

C 0.00

D 0.00

E 4.00

Total 6.00 FDR

1.20

1

0

2

0

3

0

1 0

2

0

3 0

X

Split formations are

much easier to defend

in the passing game

than the running game

especially if #2 is off

the line of scrimmage.

However the type of

offense that utilizes this

formation will

determine its true

danger.. If you see the

formation a lot you are

likely facing an option

team that has a

quarterback that

theoretically has the

ability to both pass

and run the ball well.

Gun Split Backs Formation




Formation Type: Male

Formation demeanor: Pass

FDR

RATING

1.95/5.0

B 0.00

C 1.00

D 1.75

E 4.00

Total 9.75 FDR

1.95

1

0

2

0

3

0

1 0

2

0

3 0

X

This is a two back eye

formation set with

multiple post snap

play choices. This is a

male formation that

has a insatiable

desire to run the

football.

This formations intent

is to always threaten

run! This formation is

a no Nonsense

formation that needs

to be respected for

its simplicity and

authority.

Pro I Formation






FDR

RATING

2.5/5.0

A 3.00

B 2.50

C 2.00

D 0.00

E 5.00

Total 12.50 FDR

2.50

1

0

2

0

3

0

1 0

2

0

3 0

X

Slot sets are always

tough to handle in both

the run game and

passing game. Slot sets

are meant to provide

great leverage.. This

particular formation

lends to equal

distribution of the

eligible receivers post

snap. This particular

slot set is interesting

because #3 in the

home position so now

you have counter and

sweep capability to the

open end and multiple

power runs the tight

end.

Pro Near Formation






FDR

RATING

2.80/5.0

A 3.00

B 2.50

C 2.00

D 1.50

E 5.00

Total 14.00 FDR

2.80

1

0

2

0

3

0

1 0

2

0

3 0

X

This is a formation that

you rarely ever see in

todays college game.

Reason for its lack of

use is that it has

limitations on the edges

unless you pull guards

to gain better numbers

too leverage the

opposing defense. It

you are a true zone

blocking unit you will

likely not use this set.

This is great west coast

offensive formation

that utilizes play action

expectation to get the

ball on the edges of

the defense when it

attempt to run the ball.

The offensive line and

tight end and arranged

for a down hill running

attack. However the

backfield set is built for

sweeps and quick

hitting plays like trap.

This set has an in

inherent contradictory

nature but only

effective with certain

run plays.

Pro Split Formation






FDR

RATING

2.85/5.0

A 3.00

B 2.50

C 2.00

D 1.75

E 5.00

Total 14.25 FDR

2.85

1

0

2

0

3

0

1 0

2

0

3 0

X

This is your typical

triple option formation.

This is a female set that

by nature wants to pass

the ball. But what

makes this formation

perplexing to defend is

because of the

proximity of the two

inside receiver's to the

offensive line. The

balanced nature of this

formation gives it the

power it needs to

deserve a 3.25/5.0

rating. As a note, a

passing set by nature

that runs the ball like

this triple option set are

more apt develop

strong tendencies.

2 x 2 Spread Formation






FDR

RATING

3.25/5.0

A 4.00

B 0.00

C 4.00

D 3.25

E 5.00

Total 16.25 FDR

3.25

1

0

2

0

3

0

1 0

2

0

3 0

X

The initial assessment

you can make about

this formation would be

the unique form of trips

that has been

employed. But if you

look a little deeper the

formation is more of an

illusion as part of the

bigger picture. There

are so many plays that

can be run out of this

set that you need a

place to begin your

study of it. Expect

motion out of this set

especially if you are a

zone blitzing team from

the boundary. Expect

some specific game

planed plays if you see

this formation in the

middle of the field.

Double Tight End Trips Slot Formation

Number of running backs 1:





FDR

RATING

3.55/5.0

A 4.00

B 2.50

C 3.00

D 3.25

E 5.00

Total 17.75 FDR

3.55

1

0

2

0

3

0

1 0

2

0

3 0

X

The width of the #1

receiver to the trips

side can always change

the gender of a

formation from male to

female and vice versa

The reasoning behind

this is because of the

relevance of #1 as a

vertical threat in the

passing game as it

relates to his distance

to the quarterback.

Bubble pass is still

considered a pass so

do not confuse what the

bubble is meant to

accomplish rather than

what it is. It is a pass

play that is designed to

circle the defense as if

it were a perimeter run.

Gun Empty Formation






FDR

RATING

3.85/5.0

A 5.00

B 2.50

C 4.00

D 3.75

E 4.00

Total 19.25 FDR

3.85

1

0

2

0

3

0

1 0

2

0

3 0

X

Any time you have an

empty offensive

formation the alarm

automatically goes off..

An empty formation

with a Tight End

involved should raise

the alarm for a greater

concern because the

quarterback running

game just became a

more realistic threat.

You have the option of

looking at this

particular formation

and others like it two

different ways. If a

tight end is part of the

blocking surface do

you really consider the

formation empty? Once

you answer this

question then you will

have the know how and

ability to defend this

formation and its

multiplicity.

Tight End Gun Empty Formation






FDR

RATING

4.25/5.0

A 4.00

B 5.00

C 5.00

D 2.25

E 5.00

Total 21.25 FDR

4.25

1

0

2

0

3

0

1 0

2

0

3 0

X

This formation will

cause all types of

issues for your defense

if you do not think very

carefully about how

you want to defend it?

A 4.5/5.0 rating tell

you it’s a formation

with multiple

defensibility issues. The

most important concern

is how to defense the 8

gaps that have been

created by the two

tight ends on either

side of the formation. If

you are facing a

running quarterback in

this balanced formation

it can dismantle your

defense in a hurry. It

would be wise to

eliminate schematically

the offensive eligible

starting with the “Z”

receiver versus the

particular offensive set.

Double Tight End Gun Empty






FDR

RATING

4.50/5.0

A 5.00

B 2.50

C 5.00

D 5.00

E 5.00

Total 22.50 FDR

4.50

1

0

2

0

3

0

1 0

2

0

3 0

X

This formation is a

monster! It is more

about how it makes the

defense adjust. Most

defensive concepts

have a built in check

system. This particular

formation exploits

every possible check a

defense should

practice. Tight-End

Wing, Empty, Trips, and

Slot checks need to all

be considered here.

Any type of motion into

the back field changes

this formations

demeanor depending

on who you consider

the #2 eligible? You

need to have a plan

for this formation or it

will dismantle your

defense!

Double Tight End Wing Gun Empty Formation






FDR

RATING

5.0/5.0

A 5.00

B 5.00

C 5.00

D 5.00

E 5.00

Total 25.00 FDR

5.00

how to read offensive formations from the defense perspective.pdf

Documents

male formation demeanor

female formation demeanor

formation defensibility rating

passing game

running backs

slot sets

tactical strengths

tight ends