Post on 14-Apr-2015
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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: Doug Nussmeier
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
University of Alabama offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier. This is a review of the first offensive series by Alabama in the BCS
National Championship game vs. Notre Dame
We will give an in-depth look at some of the formational intent that defines this master architect.
NEXT TOPIC: Noel Mazzone
Offensive Coordinator
UCLA
2/18/2013
X
Balanced formations can be
used in any situation. This
particular formation tells you
three distinct things about
what Alabama’s game plan
vs. Notre Dame was going to
be. The first thing is that they
are going to run the football
a lot. Secondly, they are
setting up a play action
game down the road. Lastly,
an undeclared “MO”, or #3
in the backfield always
keeps a defense on its heels
prior to the snap. It is my
opinion that this double TE
set is the most dangerous set
in football today. Its simple
in nature, powerful in
expectation, and multiple in
its own right. As part of a
greater call sequence,
starting the game off in this
formation is superb. There
are so many schemes that
you can run out of this
formation. Too many to
discuss here but the question
that needs to be asked is
why is this set really so
dangerous? It first places all
defenders at the point of
attack. The depth of the
running back tells you that he
has a wide range of holes to
pick from given the vision
and ability of the back. TE’s
are necessary in order to run
the ball effectively. Two TE’s
adds more weight to the
formation and gives it that
zing. In 2006 The
Indianapolis Colts made a
living in the formation that
took them all the way to the
Super Bowl to eventually
win. This is a formation that is
poised to for run and play
action. It is a no-nonsense
formation that caters to its
own defense in the grand
scheme of things. Alabama is
known for defense because
of using formations like this
by its own offense.
Pro
Number of running backs: 1
Number of receivers: 2
Number of Tight ends: 2
Formation Type: Male
Formation demeanor: Run
1
X
During the national
championship game you
heard Kirk Herbstreit talk
about Alabama’s “balanced
attack.” That balanced
attack is directly related to
the formation selection
rather than play calls. For
example a run to pass ratio
can be skewed the entire
game as long as the offense
makes up the difference by
the end of the game.
Offenses like to stay at or
around a 50/50 run to pass.
A balanced formational
attack needs to be
immediate. For example this
particular formation is 3 by
1 in nature, condensed in a
bunch cluster, and uses an
unusual personnel group for
such an offensive set. The
question that needs to be
asked is how does the
particular formation contrast
from the previous balanced
2x2, double TE set? Simply
put everything is opposite.
For example the direct
contrast to 2x2 is 3x1. The
direct contrast to 12
personnel is 21 personnel.
The ball was run to the
offensive left now its being
passed to the offensive right.
This is not to over simply the
process but quite the
contrary. This is a call
sequencing that was very
successful in this game vs.
Notre Dame and justifies the
“balanced attack” the Kirk
Herbstreit was taking about.
The more categories an
offense stays balanced in
the more of an illusion they
present and it all starts with
the formations the offense
employ's.
Pro
Number of running backs: 2
Number of receivers: 2
Number of Tight ends: 1
Formation Type: Female
Formation demeanor: Pass
2
X
Unbalanced formations have
obvious limitations in the
passing game by rule but
are limitless in the running
game. In other words the
offense is basically telling
you that they are going to
run the ball to the offensive
left. There are 4 offensive
players on one side however
you should only consider this
a 3x1formation and not a
“quads” formation. Prior to
the snap of the ball the
quarterback and running
back shifted to this pistol set
you see in the diagram.
Likely, it was some sort of
“dummy” audible. This set is
too well-defined in nature
for the shift to be of any
consequence to the outcome
of the play. A most
interesting question to ask is
why go unbalanced here on
the 3rd play of the game?
The illusion of this
3x1formation can often
catch an ill prepared
defense off guard. Not
recognizing the unbalanced
nature of the formation can
create defensibility issues.
Secondly this formation is a
direct contrast from the
previous 3x1 formation on
the offensive left hash, to this
now 3x1, unbalanced
formation on the offensive
right hash. Doug Nussmeier’s
formation selection is really
good and is the real reason
why Alabama dominated
this game on offense. The
next three formations will
give a great indication of
the type of balance
Alabama is trying to
achieve. It is the kind of
balance that it very hard to
identify with the naked eye.
It needs to be peeled back,
dissected, and studied to
really discover the genius of
Doug Nussmeier’s play
calling.
Pro Unbalanced
Number of running backs: 1
Number of receivers: 3
Number of Tight ends: 1
Formation Type: Male
Formation demeanor: Run
3
X
Play #4 of this series was a
dead ball penalty play so
Let us recap the previous 3
formations.
Play Form Per Hash R or P
1 2x2 12 Mof R
2 3x1 21 Left P
3 3x1 11 Right R
4 2x2 12 Mof
Good play callers can get
the ball where then want to
on the field. By controlling
the formations you control a
defense. By controlling the
defense you can place a
premium on ball placement,
being on the hash or in the
middle of the field. This play
never occurred because of
the penalty however it still
falls in line with the balanced
approach that Kirk Herbstreit was talking about.
Pro
Number of running backs: 1
Number of receivers: 2
Number of Tight ends: 2
Formation Type: Male
Formation demeanor: Run
4
X
Taking a quick snap shot of a formation pre-snap is always important when evaluating
them as part of a total call sequence of plays. An offense can always do anything that
they want to do regardless of logic. So recognizing a formations limitations is extremely
important. 3x1 formations have what 3-4 defensive people call “limited run weak.”
While watching the game, what really stands about this first series of formations is
Doug Nussmeier’s use of 21 personnel in the 3x1 formations. Likely his use of this
personnel group is part of a bigger picture of his over all game plan. “Winged” sets
always force defenses to adjust or possibly even check their coverage concept? This
particular “winged” formation is poised for motion. A defense has to be aware of this
going forward with an almost suspense like zeal. This formation makes sense given the
previous 2x2 formation used on the prior offensive play. A great balanced attack by
Alabama during this first series
Pro
Number of running backs: 2
Number of receivers: 2
Number of Tight ends: 1
Formation Type: Female
Formation demeanor: Pass
5
X
This was the last formation used as part of
a 6 formations and 5 play drive. The
question that needs to be asked is if you as
the defending coach would consider this a
2x2 formation, or 2 x1given the backfield
set? In other words if two backs are in the
back field, does the offset by the full back
create 2x2. Many defensive coaches may
disagree but it does create 2x2. It really is
all about “MO.” As mentioned in an over all
series or formation defensibility discussions,
“MO” is the “Middle” “Of” the 5 offensive
eligible players. Any type of offset by an
offensive back indicates a declaration.
Sure, the back is still in the backfield,
however his width is what really determines
his trustworthiness in either the running or
passing games. 2 backs set that are
declared like this have very high tendencies
in the college football game. This is really
more of a discussion about the college hash
marks and how they really effect the
schematic design of an offense. But notice
how the two extended slot receivers are
flipped. Meaning that the “Z” or #2
receiver is on the the line of scrimmage and
the “X” or #1 receiver is off the line of
scrimmage. This balances the offset by the
Fullback and reinstates multiplicity back in
to the formation. This is a very purposeful
formation being used as part of a greater
call sequence of plays. This formation
resulted in a touchdown and was part of a
greater series of formations a plays. Doug
Nussmeier is a really good play caller and
a master formation architect.
Pro Slot
Number of running backs: 2
Number of receivers: 2
Number of Tight ends: 1
Formation Type: Male
Formation demeanor: Run
6