defending the best offensive minds - marble fall high school, tx todd dodge
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Defending The Best Offensive MindsTopic: Todd Dodge Head Football Coach Marble Falls High School, TXBy Denauld William BrownThis is a continued series on how to read and defend offensive formations pre-snap. We will discuss the pre-snap formations run by then South Lake Carroll High School , TX Head football coach Todd Dodge. We are taking a detailed look some of the formations that lead Todd Dodge to be the most successful high school coach in the state of Texas. Next Topic: Tony Franklin Offensive Coordinator CalTRANSCRIPT
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: Todd Dodge Head Football Coach
Marble Falls High School, TX
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
then South Lake Carroll High School , TX Head football coach Todd Dodge. We are taking a detailed look some of the formations
that lead Todd Dodge to be the most successful high school coach in the state of Texas.
Next Topic: Tony Franklin
Offensive Coordinator
Cal
X
What makes a 3x1 formation with a TE so
dangerous? An ideal running game will
include the use of a TE on or off the line of
scrimmage. Adding a 3x1 element to the
TE’s deceleration allows for both a great
running and passing formation to the side
of the “Y.” The “R”, or the offset back in
this case, balances the formation as much
as possible but the formation is still
“heavy” to one side. “Heavy” meaning
that that #3, or the “Y” in this case is
weighing the formation down by being
both on the same side as the “F” and the
“Z” but also being on the line of
scrimmage. There are three practical ways
to look at formations. The first way is to
look at a formation from an “equal
distribution of the offensive eligible”
standpoint or (EDE). There will always be a
“pre-snap” or “post-snap” aspect when
strictly assessing formations and not plays.
The second practicality when looking at
formations is either as an “even”
formation or an “odd” formation. The
offensive line is constant. Sure, an offense
can go “tackle over” but we will discuss
this on a case by case basis. #3, or the “Y”
in this case in on the offensive left side of
the center. Therefore three out of the five
offensive eligible players are on one side.
This would be considered an “odd”
formation. The third common sense way
of looking ay formations is by way of
personnel groups. This is the most popular
way but not necessarily the best from a
defensive perspective. Think of personnel
groups as carrying weight. 22 personnel is
likened to 22 pounds and 10 personnel is
likened to 10 pounds. The lighter the
personnel group the more agile the
formation. The heavier the personnel group
the more stout or maybe even cumbersome
the formation. Todd Dodge is an excellent
football coach and understands formations
very well. It is much easier to lose football
games than it is to win them. Todd Dodge
has won more football games than lost
and it is no accident that the pre-snap
structure and plan to his formations is
directly tied to his schematic on the field
success.
Pro
Number of running backs: 1
Number of receivers: 3
Number of tight ends: 1
Formation type: Female
Formation demeanor: Pass
1
X
Here we have another 3x1 formation but it is
structured totally different from the previous
formation. This is a pure “slot” formation
meaning that the “X” and “Z” are on the
same side. Why is that so important? This
formation also has a “4 strong” element
meaning that the “R” is the 4th offensive
eligible to one side of the center. “4 strong”
formations have been a regular topic during
this “defending the best offensive minds”
series. This formation is some what unique
because it has some very obvious strengths.
First, it forces the defense to what we call an
“automated trigger of checks” or (ATC). There
are 4 basic checks that a defense can use and
that an offense can and should assume. These
basic checks include “trips”, “wing”, “empty”,
“pressure”, “slot” or (TWEPS) for short. There
is still the idea that the running game is very
viable because the TE, or the “Y” in this case
is on the line of scrimmage. That solidifies the
possibility of a solid running play away from
the “4 strong” side. The second strength of
this formation is to the trips side however, it
really depends on the width of #1 or the “X”
in this case. The modern day college defense
because of the width of the hashes use them
as land marks in their zone drops and
distribution. This is a very important point
once post snap play starts. How many
defensive zone concepts use the hash as a
land mark from outside in? In other words
would any defender who aligns outside the
hash pre-snap, use the hash as a land mark
post-snap? Notice the proximity of the “Z”
and the “F” while splitting the hash mark.
What is even more interesting is the width of
#1 or the “X” in this case. Proximity of
offensive eligible players to the quarterback is
very important when eliminating scenarios on
defense rather than using the widely used
method of gathering tendencies. There is only
one other offensive player besides the
quarterback, in this case, that is going to be
given the ball by way of pass or hand off?
Does each offense eligible have an equal
chance of getting the ball based on their
proximity to the quarterback? The answer is
no! Todd Dodge likes this formation and so do
I. Most 3x1 formation have a “limited run
weak” element to them. However the TE or
“Y” in this case is on the line of scrimmage.
That aids in balancing this top heavy “4
strong” slot formation.
Pro Slot
Number of running backs: 1
Number of receivers: 3
Number of tight ends: 1
Formation type: Female
Formation demeanor: Pass
2