how to read offensive formations from the defense perspective.pdf
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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
Number of running backs: 2
Number of receivers: 3
Number of Tight ends: 0
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
Number of running backs: 2
Number of receivers: 2
Number of Tight ends: 1
Formation Type: Male
Formation demeanor: Run
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
Number of running backs: 2
Number of receivers: 2
Number of Tight ends: 1
Formation Type: Male
Formation demeanor: Run
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
Number of running backs: 2
Number of receivers: 2
Number of Tight ends: 1
Formation Type: Male
Formation demeanor: Run
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
Number of running backs: 3
Number of receivers: 2
Number of Tight ends: 0
Formation Type: Female
Formation demeanor: Pass
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:
Number of receivers: 3
Number of Tight ends: 1
Formation Type: Male
Formation demeanor: Run
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
Number of running backs: 0
Number of receivers: 5
Number of Tight ends: 0
Formation Type: Female
Formation demeanor: Pass
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
Number of running backs: 0
Number of receivers: 3
Number of Tight ends: 2
Formation Type: Male
Formation demeanor: Run
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
Number of running backs: 0
Number of receivers: 3
Number of Tight ends: 2
Formation Type: Female
Formation demeanor: Pass
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
Number of running backs: 1
Number of receivers: 2
Number of Tight ends: 2
Formation Type: Male
Formation demeanor: Run
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