wildcat formation playbook

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Miami Dolphins Wildcat, Ole Miss Wild

Rebel & Arkansas Wild Hog Youth

Football Playbook

121 Total Play Options22 Base Plays4 Formations


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Table of ContentsCover Page 1Copyright & Sharing 2Table of Contents 3

Formations

Wildcat 4Wildcat Twins 5Wild Rebel 6Wild Hog 7

Terminology & Schemes

History 8Modified for Youth 9Terminology 10

Blocking Schemes

Man Blocking 11Lead Blocking 12Double Team 13Trap Blocking 14Wall Blocking 15Zone Blocking 16

PlaysWildcat

Play Action 17Seam Pass 18Slant Pass 19Sweep 20Dive 21

Wildcat TwinsDive 22ISO 23Sweep 24Counter 25Reverse 26Drag Pass 27Post Pass 28Slot Pass 29

Wild RebelSplit Zone 30Counter 31Speed Sweep 32QB Special 33

Wild HogSeam Post 34Power 35Counter 36Stealer 37Statue 38


Base WildcatPlayer Position Definitions

Wildcat Formation Player Assignments LR Left Receiver TL Tight End Left LT Left Tackle LG Left Guard C Center RG Right Guard RT Right Tackle TR Tight End Right RR Right Receiver SL Slot Back QB Quarterback

Special Notes

Formation Strength based on which side Slot Back is lined up

Optional Receiver is defined by a Check down or Secondary receiver

Total Plays number of total play options considering all holes or receivers and running the plays both left and right

CLR

SL

LT TRRTTL LG RG

QB

RR


Wildcat TwinsPlayer Position Definitions

Wildcat Twins Formation Player Assignments LT Left Tackle LG Left Guard C Center RG Right Guard RT Right Tackle TR Tight End Right SI Slot Inside SO Slot Outside RR Right Receiver SL Slot Back QB Quarterback

Special Notes

Formation Strength based on which side the Inside & Outside Slots are on



C

SOSL

LT TRRT

SI

LG RG

QB

RR


Wild Rebel Player Position Definitions

Wild Rebel Formation Player Assignments LT Left Tackle LG Left Guard C Center RG Right Guard RT Right Tackle TR Tight End Right SI Slot Inside SO Slot Outside RR Right Receiver SL Slot Back QB Quarterback

Special Notes

Formation Strength based on which side the Outside Slot lines up on. This formation uses a 3 man unbalanced line



C

SOSL

LT TRRT

SI

LG RG

QB

RR


Wild Hog Player Position Definitions

Wild Hog Formation Player Assignments LT Left Tackle LG Left Guard C Center RG Right Guard RT Right Tackle TR Tight End Right SI Slot Inside SO Slot Outside RR Right Receiver SL Slot Back QB Quarterback

Special Notes

Formation Strength based on which side the Outside Slot lines up on. This formation uses a 4 man unbalanced line



C

SOSL

LT TRRT SILG RG

QB

RR


Wildcat SchemesHistory of the Wildcat

The Wildcat made its professional football debut when the Miami Dolphins surprised the New England Patriots with this single wing formation. Truth be told the Wild formation was already being run in the college level with much success.

The Wild Hog:David Lee was the offensive coordinator at Arkansas and installed the Wild Hog version of the single wing using McFadden and Jones. The talent of these two players shined in this new formation.

The Wild Rebel:Head coach Houston Nutt left Arkansas for Ole Miss after the 2007 where he and his son Danny Nutt installed the new Wild Rebelformation

HOW IT WORKS:The Wild Formation over loads one side of the formation making it a nightmare to defend with a balanced defensive set. Each play starts out the same, making it extremely deceptive for the defense to know who has the ball.


Wildcat Modified for Youth FootballWildcat Tweaked

The Wildcat Offense is far too complicated for the youth level of football, due to the timing factors, but we have tweaked our version keeping the spirit of the Wildcat alive while making the plays adaptable for the youth players. The amount of practice time will be substantial so please be prepared if you plan to implement any part of this offense.

Making it Basic:The Wildcat youth version will have many more set plays and fewer option reads for the offense. We will continue to run the Dive and Sweep plays until the defense adjusts to our unbalanced set. If the defense never adjusts, keep running what is working.

The Pulling Guard:At the older levels this player is the game changer. By pulling him on passing plays the defense never knows if the play is a run or a pass. You need to be careful at the younger age levels since many defenses will never adjust to the unbalanced line and you cannot afford to pull the guard on any plays. You need to have a scouting report of your upcoming opponent and make the proper adjustments

Age Appropriate:The Wildcat youth version is for the older kids. We only suggest using this with experienced players 10-14 years old. Make sure you have the right talent or you will be doomed before you start. Be very careful with 10 year-old players since they should have at least 2 prior years of tackle experience before I would even consider running any part of this offense.


Wildcat Terminology for Youth Football

Wildcat Play calling

We will keep it simple for our coaches and players. We call the plays to make sure we are lining up correctly. We will call one of the four formations, followed by the word Left or right to determine formation strength, followed by the play name and lastly the location of the running play, if the play is a running play.

Players are now Holes:The Wildcat youth version will use the names of the lineman as holes for the backs to follow. Using the diagram below, I like to call out the name of the lineman in place of the number. It makes the lineman feel pride, and pressure to make his block.

Plays:We will call out the name of the player and us the basic numbering system for the holes. I number each lineman as a hole, so in the case of the Wildcat we will use Imaginary lineman if one is not lined up there. We use the double tight end formation to number the holes. Please reference the diagram below. An example call to run the dive play over the 4 hole would be Wildcat, Left, Dive, Swanson (Where Swanson is our RG in the 4 Hole).

0357 2 4 69 8


Blocking Schemes

Man Blocking

If you are new to youth football, let me start by telling you that one-on-one or man-on-man blocking is next to impossible. The younger the players are the more impossible it is. Therefore, you may ask when looking at the player assignments in this book how I can have Man Block Head Up as the main blocking scheme.

I believe that you must keep it as simple as possible. Most coaches are going to be hiding players on the offensive line. These players should listen great and give you their best effort; they may not be able to remember complicated blocking assignments. These players may get confused if give them more than one assignment. What I am getting at is the younger the kids the more basic you need to keep it.

In youth football, most players will never be able to drive or push block the defender alone. The chance of the entire offensive line being able to all block effectively together is slim. The one thing you can count on is if you tell your players to block whom he sees in front of him. The linemen need to keep his helmet between the defender and the hole we are running at.

Youth blocking is running interference as much as anything else. You need to keep the defenders away just long enough for your backs to hit the hole.

If you did your job as a coach, you will have scouted the upcoming opponent and you will know the defensive front they run, if they blitz, and whom the studs are.

The beauty of the Wildcat is that you have a numbers advantage on every play. You always have more blockers than they have defenders.

The one thing you cannot afford is a defender shooting straight in the backfield because your lineman thought he was following some Gap on Man rule. Make sure all offensive linemen block the defender over them.

The only other rule for our Man-Head up blocking is if no defender is across from you, help double team with your teammate. You will always help the teammate that is closest to the center. This is referred to blocking to the inside.

To summarize, all linemen when told to Man Block Head Up will block the defender lined up over him. If no one is lined up over him, they will help double team the opponent that is closest to our center.


Blocking Schemes

Lead Block to Hole or Down Field

This block is specific to the backfield positions. Again, I like to keep things simple. In my system, I change the hole based on the defense that is being run. I will change the hole I run the power play to based on our scouting report.

I have found the easiest way to designate the hole is to call out the name of the offensive lineman you are running over. There are many benefits to doing this. First, it wakes up that lineman. He hears his name and he knows he better do his job. It becomes a thing of pride within the lineman.

It eliminates any confusion on where to run. Tell the backs, look at the back of his jersey and run over him. Tell the lineman they need to move, and if they do not, expect to feel the pain as a back runs them over. You will be amazed how aggressive and quick the linemen move since they do not like being crunched by their own player.

Tell the Lead Block to go to the Hole, which is, simply go as fast as you can and CLEAR A HOLE. The backs are told to hit anything in their path and make an opening for the back to run through. Usually it takes only one crack in the back from a running back, and the linemen understand how fast they need to move.

When the backs assignment is to lead block around the end or downfield, the backs simply hit the first opponent they see. Tell them to hit the first unfriendly colored jersey they see. It can be a defensive lineman we missed, a blitzing linebacker or a defender in the secondary. Just make sure they do not run by any defenders.


Blocking Schemes

Double Team Blocking

My personal favorite is the double team block at the line of scrimmage, double-teaming to the hole we are running toward. The best is when you can have two linemen initiate the double team, then bring one or two lead backs followed by the running back.

Now you are running with some power! Teaching the double team takes a little practice but is well worth the time spent on

it. We will only double team to the hole we are running to. We know which opponent

to double team based on our scouting report. We can also determine where we need to help against blitzes or uncovered lineman from the scouting report.


Blocking Schemes

Trap Block

I strongly disagree with many youth coaches this area. I believe there is no benefit in trying to pull an offensive lineman, at the younger levels. If you want proof, go to You Tube and watch some of the footage from YOUTH coached Single Wing teams. I have yet to see a lineman be able to pull and out run a back to the hole. I believe you need to take care of the initial threat, which is the defensive line primarily.

I do believe you can get wonderful trap blocks with older players. This is one of the greatest strengths of the Wildcat. You have an extra lineman throughout the entire series and quick trap blocks can be devastating.

The traditional trap block is executed by having one of your linemen letting the defender come unblocked. You then instruct separatelinemen to pull and block him from an angle he does not see the block coming from.

I disagree when coaches tell two of the youth offensive lineman to leave players unblocked. I have had success pulling lineman once they get older. I would only consider it with player ages 12 and above and only with a very talented team.


Blocking Schemes

Wall Block

I have used this type of blocking for over 20 years. It is the primary blocking scheme used on pass plays.

Wall Blocking is different from Wedge blocking in two ways. In Wall blocking, you need to step towards your teammate closest to the Center. There is no step forward together like the Wedge. The second difference is you do not move as a unit downfield.

As its name implies, the players form a wall. Each player should seal the man to the inside and allow for no inside pressure.

This is youth football, so we do not Pocket Protect for the passing game. Passing is only with our QB on the move. The line needs to hold off the defense long enough for us to get the snap off and for the passer to begin sprinting in the direction in which he is about to throw. Forget about throwback passes, they take too long and require a much stronger arm than your youth QB will have.

Wall Blocking will probably be the easiest to teach, but make sure all players understand the importance of not letting any penetration through the wall.


Blocking Schemes

Zone Block

I have used this type of blocking for over 20 years. It is the primary blocking scheme used on running or pass plays.

As its name implies, the players block to an area. Each player should seal the man to the inside and allow for no inside pressure.

Zone Blocking for the running game is like wall blocking. You need to teach which Zone (direction) to send the entire line in. The biggest difference is you can pull and trap players as long as each player knows his blocking assignment. You need to use a back, slot or another linemen to cover the zone for any pulling, or trapping, linemen.

Zone Blocking will probably be the easiest to teach, but make sure all playersunderstand the importance of not letting any penetration. You can get creative, or keep it simple, which makes Zone Blocking a favorite when coaching youth football.


Play Action PassPlayer Position Definitions

Wildcat Formation Player Assignments LR Fly Route Clear Zone TL Fake Block, Flag Pattern LT Wall Block LG Trap Block - PLOY C Long Snap& Wall Block RG Wall Block RT - Wall Block TR - Wall Block RR Fly Route SL Motion, Fake Sweep QB Fake Handoff, Fake

Dive Right, Roll out Left and Pass to TL

Calling the Play Formation Wildcat Play name Play Action Pass

Optional Receivers. LR

Total Play Options. 4

CLR

SL

LT TRRTTL LG RG

QB

RR


Seam PassPlayer Position Definitions

Wildcat Formation Player Assignments LR Fly Route Clear Zone TL Wall Block LT Wall Block LG Trap Block - PLOY C Long Snap& Wall Block RG Wall Block RT - Wall Block TR - Post Seam Route RR Fly Route SL Motion, Fake Sweep QB Fake Handoff, Fake

Dive Right, Drop Back and Pass to TR

Calling the Play Formation Wildcat Play name Seam Pass

Optional Receivers. RR, SL


CLR

SL

LT TRRTTL LG RG

QB

RR


Slant PassPlayer Position Definitions

Wildcat Formation Player Assignments LR Deep Slant TL Wall Block LT Wall Block LG Trap Block - PLOY C Long Snap& Wall Block RG Wall Block RT - Wall Block TR Wall Block RR Fly Route SL Motion, Fake Sweep QB Fake Handoff, Fake

Dive Right, Drop Back and Pass to LR

Calling the Play Formation Wildcat Play name Slant Pass

Optional Receivers. none


CLR

SL

LT TRRTTL LG RG

QB

RR


SweepPlayer Position Definitions

Wildcat Formation Player Assignments LR Fly Route TL Zone Block LT Zone Block LG Trap Block C Long Snap& Zone Block RG Zone Block RT - Zone Block TR - Zone Block RR Fly Route SL Motion, Run Sweep QB Handoff, Fake Dive

Calling the Play Formation Wildcat Play name Sweep

Optional Holes. None


CLR

SL

LT TRRTTL LG RG

QB

RR


DivePlayer Position Definitions

Wildcat Formation Player Assignments LR Fly Route TL Zone Block LT Zone Block LG Trap Block Between RG

& RT C Long Snap& Zone Block RG Zone Block RT - Zone Block TR - Zone Block RR Fly Route SL Motion, Fake Sweep QB Fake Handoff, Dive

Calling the Play Formation Wildcat Play name Dive

Optional Holes. 0,2,4,6,8


CLR

SL

LT TRRTTL LG RG

QB

RR


DivePlayer Position Definitions

Wildcat Twins Formation Player Assignments LT Zone Block LG Trap Block Between RG

& RT C Long Snap& Zone Block RG Zone Block RT - Zone Block TR - Zone Block SI Zone Block SO Down Field Block RR Down Field Block SL Motion, Fake Sweep QB Fake Handoff, Dive

Calling the Play Formation Wildcat Twins Play name Dive



C

SOSL

LT TRRT

SI

LG RG

QB

RR


ISOPlayer Position Definitions

Wildcat Twins Formation Player Assignments LT Zone Block LG Trap Block Between RG

& RT C Long Snap& Zone Block RG Zone Block RT - Zone Block TR - Zone Block SI Zone Block SO Down Field Block RR Down Field Block SL Motion, Fake Sweep QB Fake Handoff, ISO

Calling the Play Formation Wildcat Twins Play name ISO

Optional Holes. 0,2,1


C

SOSL

LT TRRT

SI

LG RG

QB

RR


SweepPlayer Position Definitions

Wildcat Twins Formation Player Assignments LT Zone Block LG Trap Block Outside C Long Snap& Zone Block RG Zone Block RT - Zone Block TR - Zone Block SI Zone Block SO Down Field Block RR Down Field Block SL Motion, Run Sweep QB Fake Handoff, Fake

Dive

Calling the Play Formation Wildcat Twins Play name Sweep

Optional Holes. none


C

SOSL

LT TRRT

SI

LG RG

QB

RR


CounterPlayer Position Definitions

Wildcat Twins Formation Player Assignments LT Zone Block LG Trap Block Outside C Long Snap& Zone Block RG Zone Block RT - Zone Block TR - Zone Block SI Zone Block SO Down Field Block RR Down Field Block SL Motion, Fake Sweep QB Fake Handoff, Run

Counter

Calling the Play Formation Wildcat Twins Play name Counter

Optional Holes. 1,3,5,7


C

SOSL

LT TRRT

SI

LG RG

QB

RR


ReversePlayer Position Definitions

Wildcat Twins Formation Player Assignments LT Zone Block LG Trap Block Outside C Long Snap& Zone Block RG Zone Block RT - Zone Block TR - Zone Block SI Delay, Get Handoff from

SL, Run Reverse Left SO Down Field Block RR Down Field Block SL Motion, Take Hand Off,

Fake Sweep, Hand off to SI QB Handoff, Fake Dive

Calling the Play Formation Wildcat Twins Play name Reverse



C

SOSL

LT TRRT

SI

LG RG

QB

RR


Drag PassPlayer Position Definitions

Wildcat Twins Formation Player Assignments LT Wall Block LG Trap Block Inside C Long Snap& Wall Block RG Wall Block RT - Wall Block TR - Wall Block SI Delay, Run 3 Yard Drag

Route SO 10 Yard Drag Route RR Fly Route SL Motion, Fake Hand Off,

QB Fake Handoff, Fake Dive, Roll Left, Throw Drag, SO Primary

Calling the Play Formation Wildcat Twins Play name Drag Pass

Optional Receivers. SI


C

SOSL

LT TRRT

SI

LG RG

QB

RR


Post PassPlayer Position Definitions

Wildcat Twins Formation Player Assignments LT Wall Block LG Trap Block Inside C Long Snap& Wall Block RG Wall Block RT - Wall Block TR - Wall Block SI Wall Block SO 10 Yard Post Route RR Fly Route SL Motion, Fake Sweep QB Fake Handoff, Fake

Dive, Drop Back, Throw Post,

Calling the Play Formation Wildcat Twins Play name Post Pass

Optional Receivers. RR, SL


C

SOSL

LT TRRT

SI

LG RG

QB

RR


Slot Pass Player Position Definitions

Wildcat Twins Formation Player Assignments LT Wall Block LG Trap Block Inside C Long Snap& Wall Block RG Wall Block RT - Wall Block TR - Wall Block SI Wall Block, Delay

Sideline Route as Check down Receiver

SO 10 Yard Post Route RR Sideline Route SL Motion, Run Sweep,

Pass to RR QB Handoff, Fake Counter,

Calling the Play Formation Wildcat Twins Play name Slot Pass

Optional Receivers. SO, SI


C

SOSL

LT TRRT

SI

LG RG

QB

RR


Split Zone Player Position Definitions

Wild Rebel Formation Player Assignments LT Zone Block LG Trap Block Inside C Long Snap& Zone Block RG Zone Block RT - Zone Block TR - Zone Block SI Fake Counter SO Down Field Block RR Fly Route SL Motion, Fake Sweep QB Fake Handoff, Run Zone

Play

Calling the Play Formation Wild Rebel Play name Split Zone



C

SOSL

LT TRRT

SI

LG RG

QB

RR


Counter Player Position Definitions

Wild Rebel Formation Player Assignments LT Zone Block LG Trap Block Inside C Long Snap& Zone Block RG Zone Block RT - Zone Block TR - Zone Block SI Take Hand Off, Run

Counter SO Down Field Block RR Fly Route SL Motion, Fake Sweep QB Fake Handoff Sweep,

Hand Off to SI, Fake Zone Play

Calling the Play Formation Wild Rebel Play name Counter



C

SOSL

LT TRRT

SI

LG RG

QB

RR


Speed Sweep Player Position Definitions

Wild Rebel Formation Player Assignments LT Zone Block LG Trap Block Outside C Long Snap& Zone Block RG Zone Block RT - Zone Block TR - Zone Block SI Fake Counter SO Down Field Block RR Fly Route SL Motion, Run Sweep QB Handoff Sweep, Fake

Hand Off to SI, Fake Zone Play

Calling the Play Formation Wild Rebel Play name Counter



C

SOSL

LT TRRT

SI

LG RG

QB

RR


QB Special Player Position Definitions

Wild Rebel Formation Player Assignments LT Wall Block LG Trap Block Inside C Long Snap& Wall Block RG Wall Block RT - Wall Block TR - Wall Block SI Block Backside, Safety SO Fly Route RR Fly Route SL Motion, Take Hand Off,

Run Sweep, Pass Back to QB QB Handoff Sweep, Fake

Dive (1 Step), Run Deep Go Route

Calling the Play Formation Wild Rebel Play name QB Special

Optional Holes. SI


C

SOSL

LT TRRT

SI

LG RG

QB

RR


Seam Post Player Position Definitions

Wild Hog Formation Player Assignments LT Wall Block LG Trap Block Inside C Long Snap& Wall Block RG Wall Block RT - Wall Block TR - Wall Block SI Seam Post Route SO Fly Route RR Fly Route SL Motion, Fake Hand Off QB Fake Sweep, Fake Dive

Drop Back & Throw to SI

Calling the Play Formation Wild Hog Play name Seam Post

Optional Receivers. SO,RR,SL


C

SOSL

LT TRRT SILG RG

QB

RR


Power Player Position Definitions

Wild Hog Formation Player Assignments LT Zone Block LG Trap Block Inside C Long Snap& Zone Block RG Zone Block RT - Zone Block TR - Zone Block SI Zone Block SO Block Down Field RR Block Down Field SL Motion, Fake Hand Off QB Fake Sweep, Run

Power

Calling the Play Formation Wild Hog Play name Power



C

SOSL

LT TRRT SILG RG

QB

RR


Counter Player Position Definitions

Wild Hog Formation Player Assignments LT Zone Block LG Trap Block Inside C Long Snap& Zone Block RG Zone Block RT - Zone Block TR - Zone Block SI Zone Block SO Block Down Field RR Block Down Field SL Motion, Fake Hand Off QB Fake Sweep, Run

Counter

Calling the Play Formation Wild Hog Play name Counter

Optional Holes. 0,1,3,5,7,9


C

SOSL

LT TRRT SILG RG

QB

RR


Stealer Player Position Definitions

Wild Hog Formation Player Assignments LT Zone Block LG Trap Block Outside C Long Snap& Zone Block RG Zone Block RT - Zone Block TR - Zone Block SI Zone Block SO Block Down Field RR Block Down Field SL Motion, Take Hand Off,

Run Wide Sweep QB Hand off Sweep, Fake

Power

Calling the Play Formation Wild Hog Play name Stealer



C

SOSL

LT TRRT SILG RG

QB

RR


Statue Player Position Definitions

Wild Hog Formation Player Assignments LT Zone Block LG Trap Block Outside C Long Snap& Zone Block RG Zone Block RT - Zone Block TR - Zone Block SI Zone Block SO Run Behind QB, Take

hand off, Run Reverse RR Deep Slant Route SL Motion, Fake Sweep QB Fake Sweep, Drop Back

Showing Pass, Hand Off to SO

Calling the Play Formation Wild Hog Play name Statue



C

SOSL

LT TRRT SILG RG

QB

RR

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wildcat formation playbook

Documents

slot pass

optional receiver

wild hogseam post

post pass

wild rebelsplit zone

wildcat twinsdive

lead blocking

wall blocking