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

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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

Pro Number of running backs: 1 Number of receivers: 2 Number of Tight ends: 2 Formation Type: Male Formation demeanor: Run

Balanced formations can be expectation, and multiple in the ball effectively. Two TEs used in any situation. This its own right. As part of a adds more weight to the particular formation tells you greater call sequence, formation and gives it that three distinct things about starting the game off in this zing. In 2006 The what Alabamas game plan formation is superb. There Indianapolis Colts made a vs. Notre Dame was going to are so many schemes that living in the formation that be. The first thing is that they you can run out of this took them all the way to the are going to run the football formation. Too many to Super Bowl to eventually a lot. Secondly, they are discuss here but the question win. This is a formation that is setting up a play action that needs to be asked is poised to for run and play game down the road. Lastly, why is this set really so action. It is a no-nonsense an undeclared MO, or #3 dangerous? It first places all formation that caters to its in the backfield always defenders at the point of own defense in the grand keeps a defense on its heels attack. The depth of the scheme of things. Alabama is prior to the snap. It is my running back tells you that heknown for defense because opinion that this double TE has a wide range of holes X to of using formations like this set is the most dangerous set pick from given the vision by its own offense. in football today. Its simple and ability of the back. TEs in nature, powerful in are necessary in order to run

Pro Number of running backs: 2 Number of receivers: 2 Number of Tight ends: 1 Formation Type: Female Formation demeanor: Pass

During the national 1 in nature, condensed in a contrary. This is a call championship game you bunch cluster, and uses an sequencing that was very heard Kirk Herbstreit talk unusual personnel group for successful in this game vs. about Alabamas balanced such an offensive set. The Notre Dame and justifies the attack. That balanced question that needs to be balanced attack the Kirk attack is directly related to asked is how does the Herbstreit was taking about. the formation selection particular formation contrast The more categories an rather than play calls. For from the previous balanced offense stays balanced in example a run to pass ratio 2x2, double TE set? Simply the more of an illusion they can be skewed the entire put everything is opposite. present and it all starts with game as long as the offense For example the direct the formations the offense makes up the difference by contrast to 2x2 is 3x1. The employ's. the end of the game. direct contrast to 12 Offenses like to stay at or personnel is 21 personnel. around a 50/50 run to pass. The ball was run to the A balanced formational offensive left now its being X attack needs to be passed to the offensive right. immediate. For example this This is not to over simply the particular formation is 3 by process but quite the

Pro Unbalanced Number of running backs: 1 Number of receivers: 3 Number of Tight ends: 1 Formation Type: Male Formation demeanor: Run

Unbalanced formations have too well-defined in nature formation on the offensive obvious limitations in the for the shift to be of any right hash. Doug Nussmeiers passing game by rule but consequence to the outcome formation selection is really are limitless in the running of the play. A most good and is the real reason game. In other words the interesting question to ask is why Alabama dominated offense is basically telling why go unbalanced here on this game on offense. The you that they are going to the 3rd play of the game? next three formations will run the ball to the offensive The illusion of this give a great indication of left. There are 4 offensive 3x1formation can often the type of balance players on one side however catch an ill prepared Alabama is trying to you should only consider this defense off guard. Not achieve. It is the kind of a 3x1formation and not a recognizing the unbalanced balance that it very hard to quads formation. Prior to nature of the formation can identify with the naked eye. the snap of the ball the create defensibility issues. It needs to be peeled back, quarterback and running Secondly this formation is a dissected, and studied to back shifted to this pistol set direct contrast from the really discover the genius of X you see in the diagram. previous 3x1 formation on Doug Nussmeiers play Likely, it was some sort of the offensive left hash, to this calling. dummy audible. This set is now 3x1, unbalanced

Pro Number of running backs: 1 Number of receivers: 2 Number of Tight ends: 2 Formation Type: Male Formation demeanor: Run

Play #4 of this series was a dead ball penalty play so Let us recap the previous 3 formations. Play 1 2 3 4 Form 2x2 3x1 3x1 2x2 Per 12 21 11 12 Hash Mof Left Right Mof

middle of the field. This play never occurred because of the penalty however it still falls in line with the balanced approach that Kirk R or P Herbstreit was talking about. R P R

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

Pro Number of running backs: 2 Number of receivers: 2 Number of Tight ends: 1 Formation Type: Female Formation demeanor: Pass

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 Nussmeiers 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 Slot Number of running backs: 2 Number of receivers: 2 Number of Tight ends: 1 Formation Type: Male Formation demeanor: Run

This was the last formation used as part of in the college football game. This is really a 6 formations and 5 play drive. The more of a discussion about the college hash question that needs to be asked is if you as marks and how they really effect the the defending coach would consider this a schematic design of an offense. But notice 2x2 formation, or 2 x1given the backfield how the two extended slot receivers are set? In other words if two backs are in the flipped. Meaning that the Z or #2 back field, does the offset by the full back receiver is on the the line of scrimmage and create 2x2. Many defensive coaches may the X or #1 receiver is off the line of disagree but it does create 2x2. It really is scrimmage. This balances the offset by the all about MO. As mentioned in an over all Fullback and reinstates multiplicity back in series or formation defensibility discussions, to the formation. This is a very purposeful MO is the Middle Of the 5 offensive formation being used as part of a greater eligible players. Any type of offset by an call sequence of plays. This formation offensive back indicates a declaration. resulted in a touchdown and was part of a Sure, the back is still in the backfield, greater series of formations a plays. Doug however his width is what really determines Nussmeier X is a really good play caller and his trustworthiness in either the running or a master formation architect. passing games. 2 backs set that are declared like this have very high tendencies