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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: [email protected]
Defending The Best Offensive Minds
Topic: Urban Meyer
Head Football Coach Ohio 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
Ohio State University Head Football Coach Urban Meyer. We are taking a detailed look at his Utah playbook and some of the
formations that lead him to a BCS win in 2004 to capping off a perfect 12-0 season. We will also give an in-depth look at some of
these formations intent that defines this master architect.
Next Topic: Chris Petersen
Head Football Coach
Boise State
X
What type of strategy would you
use vs. an Urban Meyer offense?
It is a tough question to answer
being that he is the god father of
many of the bastard formations
that you see in today’s modern
day spread offense. Since the
“forward pass” a formation that
does not maintain the eligibility,
of all 5 potential eligible
offensive players, should be
considered an “irrational”
formation. There are 10 times
more “irrational” formation
combinations than “rational.”
Rational meaning that all 5
eligible offensive players
maintain their legal eligibility
prior to the ball being snapped.
The formation that you see above
is unbalanced. The “Y” is
covered which renders him
ineligible. Whenever an offense
does this, they sacrifice the
eligibility of one player in order
to re-center the formation. Re-
centering the formation in this
case has created the illusion that
the short side of the formation is
at a disadvantage. The “new”
center can be treated as one of
two people. First, the offensive
guard to the side of the “F”.
Second, the offensive guard to
the side of the “X”. The offensive
guard to the side of the “X” will
likely be the new center because
the “R” has now become the
focal point of this formation.
There are a few questions that
need to be asked about what all
of this really means? The
chances of running the ball have
increased by going unbalanced.
Why does Urban Meyer sacrifice
a heavy tendency of run for this
formation? A defense has many
more chances of being wrong,
both pre-snap and post-snap,
rather than being right. Urban
Meyer knows this and can take
advantage of the illusion that he
has created and can also stress
the defense by extended the “Y”
that is in ineligible.
Pro Unbalanced
Number of running backs: 1
Number of receivers: 2
Number of Tight ends: 2
Formation Type: Male
Formation demeanor: Run
1
X
Any defense that you
employ vs. a bunch set
likely has a bunch “check”
depending on the concept.
We have discussed this
offset pistol formation in
our discussion on Noel
Mazzone, UCLA’s offensive
coordinator and master
architect. It has subtle
advantages that are difficult
to notice with the naked
eye. Depth of the back
maximizes the vision of the
running back pre-snap.
Depth also allows for the
full development of a run
play especially in a zone
running game. Urban Meyer
is a very good offensive
mind and his formations
reflect the success of Utah
from 2004. What is it about
this formation that stands
out the most? This is a “4
strong” formation. Meaning
that 4 out of the 5 eligible
offensive players are on
one side of the center. This
is not necessarily an
advantage for the offense
but rather a disadvantage
for the defense. Given the
land scape of college
football most defense
coaches have a quarters
based coverage package for
spread type teams that
feature a duel threat
quarterback. A “4 strong
formation throws most
quarters based coverage's
off because, of the
inhereint rules when it
comes to “crack replace”,
and relating and reacting to
the “new #3 receiver post
snap, in the passing game.
Any disadvantages that the
offense may have pre-snap
of because of this “4
Strong” formation are
negated by the reality that
the “F” or #3 receiver, can
realistically get into pitch
phase with the quarterback
off of dive action.
Pro
Number of running backs: 1
Number of receivers: 4
Number of Tight ends: 0
Formation Type: Female
Formation demeanor: Pass
2
X
There is a misconception about
the existence of gaps that really
needs to be clarified. Gaps that
need to be defended are not
necessary tied to just the box.
Gaps are defined by
relationships, and those
relationships are defined by
formations, and formations sit on
top of the football field. This
formation is very difficult to
defend because it preys on the
responsibilities of the defense
when it comes to both “slot” and
“wing” adjustments. A question
that can be asked is why did
Urban Meyer keep a close
proximity of the “Z” to offensive
tackle?
Pro Slot
Number of running backs: 1
Number of receivers: 3
Number of Tight ends: 1
Formation Type: Male
Formation demeanor: Run
3
X
Empty sets are interesting because they
imply pass and in most cases would be
confirmed post snap by a pass play. The
interesting thing about this particular
formation is the “R” on the line of
scrimmage. When both #2 receivers, in
this case the “R” and the “Y”, are on the
line of scrimmage, teams typically want to
run the football. This comes from years of
studying formations and their natural
demeanor. An empty set negates this
philosophy so the question is why does
the Urban Meyer place the “R” on the line
of scrimmage? Defensive coaches usually
make a decision to either blitz empty or to
max cover it and usually nothing in
between. Utah has a very successful year
and Urban Meyer is a master at creating
formations to sustain his dynamic offense.
Pro
Number of running backs: 1
Number of receivers: 3
Number of Tight ends: 1
Formation Type: Male
Formation demeanor: Run
4