Defending the Double Wing

The Double Wing Offense has been around since 1986, but it's roots go back as far as Football itself.
Don Markha !reiered this offense in 19"# at $% &a!tist '( in Mission 'ills. (ince then Man)
schools ha*e +on nuerous ,.-.F, ,ount), and (tate Titles. .ight) !ercent of ,alifornia, Oregon,
and Washington's rushing and scoring leaders ha*e coe fro this offense. -n 199/ Don Markha
led &looington 'igh (chool to a 1/01 ,.-.F Title and set the national scoring record +ith a unheard
of 62 !oint a*erage.
The ob3ecti*e of Double Wing teas is to ake )ou co*er 11 ga!s. When )ou s!read )our self out to
co*er those ga!s, the) get ore !eo!le to the ball then )ou ha*e to defend. This gi*es the a '45.
ad*antage at the !oint of attack. Their base !la) the 67-T,'6 ust be sto!!ed to be successful.
Double Wing creator Don Markha +as 8uote as sa)ing, 6- ha*e ran the 7-T,' !la) 91 ties in a
ro+ one gae. -f the) can't sto! the 7-T,', the gae is o*er.6
The 67-T,'6 !la) is si!le in it's in*ention, but o*er+heling in it's a!!lication. -f )ou don't stack the
odds in )our fa*or, )ou +ill be ran o*er. Double Wing teas run u! huge scores against o!!onents,
+ho either ha*e no idea at +hat the) are facing or too 7:O4D to reali;e their o+n +eaknesses
against it.
One coach +as 8uoted as sa)ing that this offense +ould not +ork in Di*ision -. Don Markha took his
,olton tea to the &ig 2 ,onference Title gae t+ice +ith his earlier *ersion of this offense.
- co!are the Double Wing offense to a chess gae. The) get so an) !a+ns in the +a), ) 8ueen
and rooks can not be effecti*e. (o like in chess, ) strateg) is to clear the field and let ) 8ueen and
rooks !la) against theirs.
The 7-T,''s ob3ecti*e is like ,oach <ince $obardi's faous 5reen &a) (+ee!. The) +ant to
create a +all b) the F& sealing the outside, the T.=OT's double tea sealing the inside and the
Offside OT=O5=>& +edging through the hole, gi*ing the Wing back an alle) to run through. Most
ties this alle) is so big, 6)ou could dri*e a truck through it6
The 7-T,' !la) +orks like this, both Wings line u! on the $O(. The >& reads the defensi*e set and
d bends done under center. %t this !oint the Wings take their !lace. One Wing sets u! as a
4nbalanced second T.. %t the sae tie the second Wing sets u! as a Wing &ack. 'e takes a 8uick
otion back 2 )ards behind the 5uard.
The >& sna!s the ball and !itches a dead, none s!inning ball chest to face high at the otioning
+ing. 'e then !ulls through the !oint of attack and seal outside, blocking the ,&
The Offensi*e line has foot to foot s!lits to !re*ent stunting. The !la) side T. and OT double tea at
the !oint of attack. The) are taught to act like (iaese t+ins 3oined at the hi!. .*en though there are
no ga!s or running lanes the) create the +ith their double tea.
The unbalanced T.=Wing back ga!s do+n to seal off the $&.
The offside OT=O5 !ull to the 7O%. The O5 res!onsibilit) is to seal inside. The Offside OT is to seal
u! an) !enetration and hel! the O5 seal inside.
The backside T.'s 3ob is to seal off backside !enetration.
The F&'s 3ob is to kick out the an res!onsible for Force. 'e takes a banana route, kee!ing a inside
relationshi! to the Force an. &ecause of this banana techni8ue he cant effecti*el) kick out and
ne*er ha*e to read the Force and +orr) about logging hi in. This techni8ue allo+s hi to
concentrate full) on kicking out the force and creating the sea for the Wing to run in.
The Wing back takes the !itch and reads his !ulling O5=OT, an) ties !ushing hi through the
hole. This adds dece!tion to !o+er of the !la). Man) ties !eo!le are there to defend but can not
see the ball carrier as he hides behind the !ulling linean. The Wing back has an) o!tions as he
runs through the holes he can sta) on !ath, kick it outside, or the ost dangerous cut back across the
grain. This is de*astating because ost of the !ursuit is coing at the 7O% and do not !ro!erl)
defend the cut back.
The fi*e ain ob3ecti*es in sto!!ing the 7-T,' are,
1. ,o*er all 11 ga!s
#. (to! the o*erload at the 7O%
9. (to! the !ulling $inean
/. (to! the cut back
2. Find the ball carrier
The onl) +a) to !ro!erl) co*er the 11 ga!s and be sound in !ass co*erage is to run a 9 an front
+ith a t+o dee! secondar). To sto! the o*erload at the 7O% +e ha*e our defensi*e linean cut the
Offensi*e line. $ike trading !a+ns in chess +e clear the board b) cutting their line. M) DT for )our
OT, ) D. for )our F&, etc.? &) slanting and the !ile created fro the cutting +e ho!e to sto! the
backside !ulling linean. &ackside !ursuit ust scra! do+n the $O( looking for cutback and kee!
our heads u! looking for the ball carrier. .*er)one ust !la) res!onsibilit) t)!e defense. One istake
+ill cause a hole and gi*e the a big !la).
The +a) +e defense the Double Wing is to line u! in a 2/ defense. 2 do+n linean / linebackers #
(afeties. The ain cog in the defense is the @ose 5uard. 'e ight not ake one !la) all night but he
is *ital to the defense. The @5 !la)s head u! on the ,enter and slants to the !la) side % ga!. We
deterine !la) side b) otion, best back, or tendencies. The @5 can see the 8uick otion b) the
+ing back +ith his !erennial *ision. 'e ri!s thre+ the ,enter tr)ing to get into the backfield.
De!ending on their blocking schee he a) coe untouched into the backfield. Most likel) he +ill be
double +ith the O5. Miniall) he needs to i!ede the !ulling O5=OT.
&oth DT's +ill cut at the outside shoulder of the OT. This should cut the double tea b) the OT and
T.. Dri*e through and cause a !ile u!. The DT on the !ulling side should tr) and cut the 7ulling DT. -f
he does not get the cut !ursue do+n the $O( looking for cut back. Aee! an e)e out for the T.
blocking do+n or tr)ing to cut )ou.
The $& to the otioning side should blit; the & ga!. -f the O5 has blocked do+n on the @5 a lane
should o!en u!. The $& a+a) fro otion should slo+ scra!, do+nhill . &oth $&'s should read the
F&. -f the F& kicks out the D., 7$& should continue his blit; u! field, +ith W$& scra!ing, looking for
cut back. -f the F& !auses or dela)s both $&'s should go at the F& looking for Tra! or :e*erse.
The ,& to the otioning side should fill , ga! forcing the !la) outside. The strength of the !la) is
inside so an) back running outside is b) hiself , defeating the !ur!ose of the !la). The 7,& uses a
O$.' techni8ue, like a bull fighter, a*oiding all contact.
The ,& a+a) fro otion slo+ reads and looks for re*erse. -f no re*erse. (cra!, looking for cutback.
-f re*erse coes use the sae techni8ue as 7,&.
The F( to the otioning side reads his T.. -f the T. blocks he becoes an alle) !la)er filling , ga!
and contains D ga! if the 7,& forces the !la) +ide. -f he reads !ass fro the T. he co*ers the dee!
B 3u!ing a corner route b) the T..
F( a+a) fro otion slides to center field and reads his T. for !ass or run. -f he reads re*erse he
no+ becoes the fill=contain an to his side
-f e*er) one does their res!onsibilit) t+o things should ha!!en. First +e ha*e a :& that has no +here
to go, running into his line. 'e ends u! tr)ing to bounce outside or falls o*er his o+n an. (oeties
the :& bounces out to a o!en s!ace. While this is usuall) a !roble it is not. The :& 's in the double
Wing are used to running behind !eo!le. The) are not o!en field runners. % usual scenario has our
line taking out their line and the ,&'s end aking the tackle. The Double Wing has an) ad*antages
that if left untended +ill cause the field to tilt in their fa*or. &) using the 2/ and e*ening the odds +e
are able to co!ete +ith this eC!losi*e offense.
Scouting the Double Wing Team
Double Wing Teas e*er)+here are running u! scores, racking u! huge rushing gains and
ebarrassing an) o!!onents +ho ha*e no idea on ho+ to sto! this @e+ !otent offense. 'ere are
soe ne+ ideas in scouting the Double Wing Tea. 'o!efull) )ou +ill be able to take these ne+
ideas and !ut the to +ork +ithin )our defensi*e !ackage.
&asic >uestions
When scouting a Double Wing Tea the first thing )ou ha*e to take into account is, Who is the best
running back? .*en though the offense is design to be e*enl) s!read bet+een the three backs,
ost teas tend to ha*e one featured back. The ain !riorit) in sto!!ing the double +ing is to sto!
the featured back. -dentif)ing this back is usuall) eas) as he coes into the gae +ith soe
unheard )ardage gained and Touchdo+ns scored. Dou ha*e to turn the gae into sto!!ing hi and
+orr)ing about co*ering the as!ects of the double +ing later. -ts no different fro an featured - back
or O!tion >&. 'e has to be sto!!ed and ake the other gu)s beat )ou. -f the tea is !rett) e*enl)
s!read )ou still ha*e to !la) the gae as if one of the is the featured back. %fter going through this
scouting check list one of the backs +ill stand out ore then the others.
The second ost i!ortant thing in scouting a double +ing tea is what is their best play?
T)!icall) this is their Toss or (u!er 7o+er !la) and is run +ith their best back. Dour entire defense
ust !ositioned to sto! that !la). That !la) has to be taken a+a) fro their arsenal. Dou ha*e to be
sound in )our total defensi*e !ackage and not !ut ele*en gu)s on one side but o*erload )our defense
+ith )our best !la)ers and )our best schee to side +here the best !la) goes. T)!icall) the double
+ing tea is reall) strong running the Toss or (u!er 7o+er to one side and the) run the &uck s+ee!
or :e*erse to the other. This allo+s )ou to !ut )our strongest, biggest kids to one side and )ouEre
faster, ore !ursuit t)!e kids to the other.
@eCt )ou ust deterine, what is their best pass play? This !ass tends to be a !la) action !ass
off their best !la) and usuall) has the Tight end or Wings running dee! routes. Double +ing teas
usuall) donEt thro+ the !ass unless the) see )ou are coitting ost of )our en to sto!!ing the
run. Whate*er schee )ou run )ou ust kee! at least t+o gu)s dee! or their best !ass !la) +ill be
a huge gainer for the. Most Double Wing >uarterbacks ha*e soe of the highest !ass co!letion
ratio. This is fro the fact it is eas) to !la) catch +ith a +ide recei*er that is +ide o!en. .*en though
the !ass is not usuall) an effecti*e +ea!on for the double +ing tea, it is an as!ect that ust be
accounted for +hen !re!aring to defend the double +ing.
Finall), what is the best counter play? Double Wing teas ha*e a counter !la) to their best !la).
That is the !la) the) +ill ost likel) go to +hen their best !la) is sto!!ed. T)!icall) it is the re*erse
!la) off the Toss or (u!er 7o+er. The :e*erse !la) is !robabl) the ost eC!losi*e !la) in the
double +ing arsenal. The defense has to ha*e a sound !ackage to hold off the :e*erse until
e*er)one can rall) back to the ball.
Defenders on the re*erse side ha*e to string out the re*erse !la) and ake it go +ide. With all this
inforation, a !icture should be de*elo!ing about ho+ the !la) calling !hiloso!h) of the double +ing
tea. &asicall), this should tell )ou +ho is getting the ball and +here. This is 3ust the beginning in
foratting a sound defensi*e attack *ersus the double +ing.
Tendencies
The traditional do+n and distance tendencies usuall) donEt +ork +ith a double +ing tea. The
reason being, noral offenses +ork on a three do+n !attern to get a first. Most teas if )ou can get
the in a fourth and t+o or ore +ill o!t to !unt the ball. Most teas are not consistentl) going to go
for it on / do+n. The double +ing tea differs because the) !la) four do+ns to get a first. The) +ill
go for it on fourth do+n alost e*er) tie. The) ha*e the !hiloso!h) of the) can get fi*e )ards on
e*er) !la). % noral defensi*e situation of fourth and fi*e, the double +ing teas !ounds out a first
do+n because the defensi*e tea +as not !re!ared for this situation. The coach and !la)ers are
entall) out of it because the) feel like the) ha*e done their 3ob Fbring on the !unt teaG allo+ing the
double +ing tea the ental edge. % fe+ of the tendencies that - ha*e seen fro double +ing teas
are :unning &ack, $ineen, :ight=$eft, Field=&oundar), (ideline, and se8uence.
The Running Back tendency - ha*e !icked u! on is on /
th
do+n or other crucial do+ns the) run the
toss or su!er !o+er to the sae back. -f )ou can scout a o!!onent and get a !ercentage ration on
ho+ an) ties a back runs toss or su!er !o+er to the right side on /
th
or crucial do+ns this +ill hel!
)ou in deterining +hat front or blit; to call. One )ear a double +ing tea +e !la)ed ran the toss
right ## out of #9 ties for a 96H ratio. This +as an eas) call on defense.
The Linemen tendency is +here the) flo! the line so one side is al+a)s blocking and the other is
!ulling. This tendenc) can be a huge ad*antage. The defense can stack their strongest, biggest
gu)s on their blockers and !ut faster t)!es on the !ullers side. -f )ou use autoatic blit;es fro the
!ullers side +ith )our ,orners )ou ight e*en run the !la) do+n. Most double +ing teas do not flo!
their lines but soe do due to !ersonnel !robles. %s a defensi*e coordinator )ou ust look for this
eas) tendenc).
The Right /Left tendency is another 7ersonnel t)!e of tendenc). $ike the flo!!ing lineen tendenc)
the right=left tendenc) +orks the sae +a). One side +ill block and the other +ill !ull a a3orit) of
the tie. We !la)ed a double +ing tea that ran alost 98H of their toss or su!er !o+ers right.
This allo+ed us to stack that side and !ut the faster gu)s on the other side. %fter charting the !la)s
this tendenc) +ill becoe a!!arent.
The Feld/Boundary tendency is do the) run the +ide or short side of the field. Most double +ing
teas +ill fit into a field or boundar) t)!e tea. This tendenc) is a little harder to see, but can be
huge ad*antage for the defense. -f the double +ing tea is a field tea )ou can o*er shift )our
defense or slant to hel! +ith the +ide side. There is no need to defend the boundar) if the) are ore
inclined to run to the field. There are an) reasons a tea runs to the field +ith a +ider area for the
defense to defend and ore running roo as the t+o biggest. The boundar) double +ing teas like
to sash it and cut back to the +ide side gi*ing the ore roo on the cut back. This tendenc)
hel!s +ith the o*erall tendencies that a double +ing is gi*ing a+a).
The Sideline tendency is a tendenc) that +ill not sho+ u! on an) noral tendenc) charts. Do the)
run the ball to their sidelineI % double +ing tea +e !la)ed like to run the ball to their sideline
es!eciall) on crucial do+ns. The coach liked to see the !la) de*elo!. 'e thought if he could see the
!la) it +ould ha*e a better chance of success instead of the !la) a+a) fro hi. This is a huge
tendenc) for the defensi*e coordinator.
The Sequence tendency is does the double wing team run plays in a sequence. A team we
played always ran Toss or Super Power right on the first play and buck sweep on the
second play every half. We looked like a genius at our booster club meeting when we
told them to look for those two plays at the beginning of the game. The double wing
team is trying to test the defense and those are two great plays to test how the defense
is covering them but is a great weapon for the defensive coordinator in his game plan.
We used those two plays to set a tone by over playing them and creating a loss on both
plays. Third down we ecept a pass or reverse and the beginning of both half!s we have
set a tone by making them punt. The sequence tendency can be the greatest assets to
a defensive coordinator.
Defensi*e O!!onent
%nother crucial !art to scouting a double +ing tea is to scout the defense the) are !la)ing against.
There are an) crucial tendencies that can be deri*ed fro +atching ho+ another tea defended
the double +ing. The first !art of scouting a defense is to at the double +ing0blocking schee.
Double +ing teas ha*e an) different +a)s to block defensi*e fronts. On the scouting sheet - +ant
to deterine +hat defensi*e front the tea is running. We can deterine b) this !iece of inforation
if the double +ing tea is running a certain !la) ore then another, based on defensi*e fronts.
The biggest !art of the defensi*e scouting section is +here is the 7oint of %ttackI The !oint of attack
+ill usuall) deterine +hat blocking schee the) are using no atter the !la). The toss, s!in, and
re*erse run at the off tackle !osition and ha*e the sae blocking schee. -f +e can deterine +ho
is blocking +ho +e ha*e a better shot at defending the double +ing.
Other than tra! or +edge ost double +ing teas ha*e these three basic ingredients to ost of their
!la)s. There +ill be a Double Team, a Kick Out block and soebod) Fusuall) threeG Pulling through
the hole. These three techni8ues gi*es the an inside and outside +all +ith lead blockers coing
through the hole.
The double tea block is a t+o on one block +ith the inside blacker res!onsible for an) blit; to the
inside, this creates the inside +all. The kick out block is usuall) done b) the full back or guard. This
creates the outside +all. 4suall) the off side guard and tackle +ith the >uarter back lead the tail back
through the hole.
%s a defensi*e coordinator )ou ust learn the basic blocking schees to )our defensi*e front. This
+ill allo+ )ou to figure a +a) to beat it and gi*e )ou ade8uate re!etitions in !ractice. Most !ractice
s8uads do not gi*e )ou a gae t)!e look +hen )ou !ractice the double +ing, so )our defense ne*er
gets good 8ualit) !ractice *ersus the double +ing offense.
The last as!ect of the defensi*e scouting is ,o*erageEs. Dou need to see ho+ the double +ing tea
defeats that co*erage's. This +ill allo+ )ou ore freedo in secondar) su!!ort. -f the double +ing
tea cannot !ass there is no need to co*er those areas. We usuall) do not co*er the flats. We allo+
the the !ass co!letion and rall) to the ball to ake the tackle. Most of the tie the double +ing
tea +ill not take ad*antage of this because it is not in the gae !lan.
"Diagram #$%

&nderstanding the Double Wing offense
The last a3or idea of defending double +ing teas understands their offense. Dou cannot defend
an offense unless )ou ha*e an idea of +hat it is attacking. Once )ou ha*e a !lan of +hat the double
+ing tea is tr)ing to attack )ou can ake a sound 3udgeent on ho+ to defend that area of the
defense the) are attacking.
The Double Wing Formation is a co!ressed double tight end, double +ing foration +ith tight s!lits
usuall) foot to foot. This foration akes the defense co*er ten running ga!s +ith huge flank areas.
The t+o tight ends and +ings gi*e the a four +ide recei*er !assing gae. The t+o +ings, full back
and 8uarter back gi*e the four running backs to use in the run gae
The Toss/Super Power is attacking the off tackle hole +ith ten !la)ers. Double teas at the !oint of
attack a kick out block b) the full back, and the guard, tackle and 8uarter back leading through the
hole. The running back follo+s his lead blockers and is looking to cut back or kick it outside. The
running back usuall) is hidden behind all the blockers.
The Trap is designed to gi*e the i!ression of the toss and gi*e the full back the ball u! the iddle
behind the tra!!ing guard. The line does not block do+n lineen but blocks the linebackers. This
gi*es the t+o tackles, a guard, tight end and a +ing to block the linebackers. The running back and
8uarter back fake the rest of the defense into thinking it is a toss !la).
The 'everse is a counter to the toss play. The running back gets the pitch from the
quarterback and gives an inside hand off to the other wing. The other wing follows the
guard( tackle( and full back on the reverse. The play is essentially the toss play with a
double team( kick out and pulling linemen.
The Spin is a counter to the toss !la). $ike the re*erse the running back fakes the toss !la). The
difference is the 8uarterback s!ins around like he is !itching the ball but gi*es an inside re*erse to the
other +ing. This !la) is blocked the sae +a) as the re*erse !la) +ith a kick out b) the guard and
the full back and tackle !ulling through
The Buck sweep is a s+ee! !la) that has the fullback going o!!osite the s+ee!. This di*e a+a) is
su!!osed to kee! the linebackers at hoe. The !la) has the 8uarterback faking a di*e to the fullback
and then handing the s+ee! to the +ing back +ho follo+ both guards on the s+ee!. The tight and
+ing reach the contain defenders. This !la) is effecti*e because ost defenses stack the inside to
sto! the toss or su!er !o+er. There is a bootleg off the buck s+ee! but it is not usuall) run unless no
ones co*er the 8uarterbacks fake off the buck s+ee!.
The Play action pass is designed to flood a pass coverage area. When the double wing teams
see a defense commit their secondary to run force they fake the toss and throw the play
action pass at the defense. &sually it!s a two)man route with the wing running a flat and
the tight end running a deep corner.
Man) double +ing teas ha*e different !ass schees but the) usuall) attack the sae area.
The Streak is all four recei*ers running *ertical. This is a hard !la) to defend. Defensi*e
coordinators ust be read) for this !ass !la) +hen setting u! their defensi*e structure to defend the
double +ing offense.

&nderstanding the Double Wing *ffense
T*SS
The Toss !la) is si!le in its in*ention, but o*er+heling in its a!!lication. -f )ou don't stack the odds
in )our fa*or, )ou +ill be run o*er. Double Wing teas run u! huge scores against o!!onents, +ho
either ha*e no idea at +hat the) are facing or too 7:O4D to reali;e their o+n +eaknesses against it.
The Toss's ob3ecti*e is like ,oach <ince $obardi's faous 5reen &a) (+ee!. The) +ant to create
a +all b) the Fullback sealing the outside, the Tight .nd Tackle's double tea sealing the inside and
the Offside Tackle, 5uard and >uarterback +edge through the hole, gi*ing the Wing back an alle) to
run through. Most ties this alle) is so bigJ "you coul ri!e a truck t"roug" it"
The Toss +orks like this, both Wings line u! on the line of scriage. The >uarterback reads the
defensi*e set and bends do+n under center. %t this !oint the Wings take their !lace. One Wing sets
u! as an 4nbalanced second Tight .nd. %t the sae tie the second Wing sets u! as a Wingback.
'e takes a 8uick otion back 2 )ards behind the 5uard. The >uarterback sna!s the ball and !itches
a dead, none s!inning ball chest to face high at the otioning +ing. 'e then !ulls through the !oint of
attack and seal outside, blocking the ,ornerback. The Offensi*e line has foot0to0foot s!lits to !re*ent
stunting. The !la) side Tight .nd and Tackle double tea at the !oint of attack. The) are taught to
act like (iaese t+ins 3oined at the hi!. .*en though there are no ga!s or running lanes the) create
the +ith their double tea. The unbalanced Wing ste!s outside at the ,ornerback and blocks do+n
to seal off the $inebacker. The offside Tackle and 5uard !ull to the !oint of attack. The 5uard's
res!onsibilit) is to seal inside. The Offside Tackle is to seal u! an) !enetration and hel! the 5uard
seal inside. The backside Tight .nd's 3ob is to seal off backside !enetration b) cutting an) defensi*e
lineen in the & ga! out. The Fullback's 3ob is to kick out the an res!onsible for Force. 'e takes a
banana route, kee!ing an inside relationshi! to the Force an. &ecause of this banana techni8ue he
can't effecti*el) kick out and ne*er ha*e to read the Force and +orr) about logging hi in. This
techni8ue allo+s hi to concentrate full) on kicking out the force and creating the sea for the Wing
to run in. The Wing back takes the !itch and reads his !ulling 5uard and Tackle, an) ties !ushing
hi through the hole. This adds dece!tion to !o+er of the !la). Man) ties !eo!le are there to
defend but cannot see the ball carrier as he hides behind the !ulling linean. The Wing back has
an) o!tions as he runs through the holes he can sta) on !ath, kick it outside, or the ost
dangerous cut back across the grain. This is de*astating because ost of the !ursuit is coing at the
!oint of attack and do not !ro!erl) defend the cut back.
+uck Sweep
The &uck (+ee! is an Outside !la) that is co!leentar) to the Toss !la). Taken fro the Wing T
offense the Double +ing tea uses it to be ore of an outside stretch !la) then a !o+er off tackle
!la) that the +ing t uses it for. Defensi*e teas get caught u! in sto!!ing the Toss that the) co!act
their defense to the Toss, lea*ing the *ulnerable to the outside. This is +here the &uck (+ee! !la)
coes in to take ad*antage of the defense's co!action. The double +ing tea gets both guards
leading the ball carrier outside.
The :e*erse +orks like this. The +ing goes in otion like he does on the Toss !la). The >uarter
back turns and hands off the ball to the +ing. The Full back di*es the sae +a) as the otioning
+ing. -t looks like the 8uarter back has faked to the Fullback as he turns the sae +a) as the) full
back is di*ing. This cross buck look gi*es the !la) the dece!tion it needs to s!ring the +ing outside.
The front side Tight end and +ing reach block an)one near the line of scriage. The center blocks
!la) side to co*er for the front side guard +ho is !ulling outside for the corner back. The full back di*e
and the backside tackle seal block inside co*er for the backside guard +ho is !ulling and leading the
+ing on the s+ee!. The backside tight end is faking a corner route, +hile the 8uarter back is faking
the bootleg. This backside bootleg fake should kee! soe of the defense at hoe to co*er the.
The ball carrier follo+s his !ulling guards outside and stretches the defense to the sideline before
turning u! the field. This buck s+ee! !la) is a great change u! to the constant !ounding inside of the
Toss !la).
'everse
The :e*erse !la) is a deri*ati*e of the Wing T's ,riss ,ross !la). % double hand off re*erse. This
!la) is de*astating to o*er !ursuing defenses. The double +ing tea gets all the !o+er of the toss
!la) +ith a isdirection, dece!tion based !la). The double +ing tea gets the tackle, guard and full
back leading through the hole. This !la) is !robabl) the second biggest gainer for the double +ing
tea and huge !la) for the in tight situations.
The :e*erse +orks like this the +ing goes in otion like on the Toss !la). The >uarterback hands
hi off the ball like the buck s+ee! and continues on a bootleg. The 8uarter back is tr)ing to get the
defensi*e end and cornerback to follo+ hi or coe u! field. The +ing, after taking the hand off,
runs to+ard the other +ing and gi*es hi an inside handoff. The other +ing on the sna! dela)s and
runs to+ard the otioning +ing and takes the inside hand off and follo+s the !ulling tackle and guard.
The !la) side tight end and tackle double tea at the !oint of attack. The guard blocks his inside ga!
and the center co*ers for the !ulling guard. The off side guard !ulls and kicks out the defensi*e end.
The !ulling tackle leads and seals inside. The full back ste! like he is running toss and bends around
the 8uarterback and leads through the +hole and seals outside. This !la) +orks great against o*er
!ursuing defenses
Spin
The (!in is another re*erse !la) off the Toss. The ain as!ect of the (!in in co!arison to the
:e*erse is the >uarterback handles the ball unlike the re*erse +here there is a double handoff.
%nother ke) eleent to the dece!tion is the full back blocks like he does on the toss gi*ing the
linebackers a false read ke). This !la) can also be ran to the tight end.
The (!in +orks like this the +ing goes in otion and fakes the Toss. The !la) side tight end and
tackle double tea at the !oint of attack. The guard blocks his inside ga! and the center co*ers for
the !ulling guard. The off side guard !ulls and kicks out the defensi*e end. The !ulling tackle leads
and seals inside 3ust like on the re*erse !la). The full back blocks the area right off the !ulling tackle.
The tight end blocks do+n to !rotect the inside ga!. The 8uarterback takes the sna! and fakes the
Toss !itch and (!ins around and hands off to the +ing going underneath hi. The other +ing on the
sna! dela)s and runs to+ard the otioning +ing and takes the inside hand off fro the 8uarterback
and follo+s the !ulling tackle and guard.
Trap
The Tra! is the Full backs ain run. The Double Wing Tra! is ore of a dela) tra! than the 8uick
hitting Wing T tra! !la). The Full back tra! is a hugel) successful for the double +ing tea because
of the effecti*eness of the toss !la). Most defense's tend to o*er !ursue the to the Toss !la) and
forget about the Fullback. The close alignent of the Fullback to the 8uarterback, the Toss fake and
dela) action of the fullback adds to the dece!tion.
The Tra! +orks like this the +ing goes in otion and fakes the Toss. The front side +ing blocks the
corner back. The !la) side tight end, tackle and guard block the $inebackers inside. The) create a
+all cutting off the backside of the defense. -f there is a @ose guard the !la) side guard blocks his
inside ga! and the center co*ers for the tra!!ing guard. The tra!!ing guard tra!s the first defensi*e
lineen !ast the center. The fullback sta)s in his stance and dela)s. 'e tries to hide behind the line
of scriage. The 8uarterback turns and fakes the toss !la) and hands off to the fullback. The
8uarterback either fakes a bootleg or a 8uick !ass. The fullback takes the ball and follo+s the guard.
(oe teas !ull both the tackle and the guard on this !la). -n this blocking schee the guard tra!s
and the tackle leads u! through the hole. Most schees ha*e the backside tackle and tight end block
do+nfield, looking for secondar) defenders.
Play Action
The 7la) %ction 7ass coes off the Toss 7la). The 7la) %ction 7ass is ost effecti*e +hen the
Toss !la) is gaining big )ards and the defensi*e backs ha*e to ste! u! and sto! the !la). There are
an) route cobinations but ost tend to be a high=lo+ read bet+een the Wing and Tight .nd.
4suall) it is a t+o0an route but soeties it is run as a four0an route. The >uarterback usuall)
has !lent) of tie because of the run fake. The lineen !erfor an aggressi*e block so the) do not
ha*e to !ass block. Man) Double Wing teas 6lull you to sleep6 +ith a constant, !ounding run gae
and then hit )ou +ith a 7la) %ction 7ass. The) tr) to catch )our defensi*e backs 6sleeping6 and !ass
for big )ardage.
The 7la) %ction !ass +orks like this the +ing goes in otion like the Toss !la). The >uarterback
s!ins, fakes a !itch to the +ing and dro!s back fi*e ste!s. The +ing fakes recei*ing the !itch and
runs into the line of scriage and !ass blocks. The Fullback kicks out the defensi*e end. (oe
teas ha*e the fullback run a flat route. The !la) side tackle, guard and center block their inside
ga!s aggressi*el). The +eak side tackle and guard set u! and !erfor an aggressi*e !ass block.
The front side Tight end runs a corner route, tr)ing to get behind the defensi*e back. (oe double
+ing teas ha*e the tight end block or dela) before releasing do+n field. The front side +ing blocks
and runs a flat route. (oe double +ing teas ha*e the +ing and tight end s+itch routes to get a
!icking action or the) feel the) ha*e a better athlete at +ing then at the tight end !osition.
The back side tight end either sta)s hoe and blocks or runs a 7ost route to dra+ the defensi*e
backs a+a) fro the corner route. (oe double +ing teas ha*e the backside tight end run a dig or
drag route. There are an) !assing cobination but ost coe off the 7la) %ction of the Toss !la).
*ther Plays
The Double Wing has unliited !otential in its !la) usage. Man) Double Wing teas ha*e other
!la)s in their arsenal likeK
Fullback Wedge
Fullback Off Tackle +ith 5uard Tra!,
Fullback &ell),
>uarterback Aee!er Toss
>uarterback (!inner Tra!
Man) different O!tion (chees
Wing &last
Fl) or Let (+ee!
7assing (chees fro the +aggle to the run n shoots all streak !la).
Defending the DW )Personnel
-n choosing !ersonnel for defending the Double Wing, the coach ust look at a lot of different
*ariables the +hen choosing a noral defensi*e tea. Man) skills of the noral defensi*e tea are
o*er looked for Tea skills of sacrifice, tea !la) and each !osition doing their res!onsibilit).
%ggressi*e is needed, but flo+ to the ball gang tackling t)!e !la)ers usuall) does not +ork as sart,
do )our 3ob t)!es. The !ersonnel needed for Defending the Double Wing needs to be e*aluated
before )ou can start to sto! this !otent offense.
,ose -uard
The @5 needs to be a 8uick reaction !la)er and is the ost *ital !osition in defending the Double
Wing. The Double Wing tea tends to !ut their biggest, slo+est, +orst lineen at the center s!ot.
This is huge ad*antage in defending the Double Wing tea as this isatch can be eC!loited. The
@5 ust also be an unselfish, Tea !la)er. Man) of the @5's techni8ues +ill cause disru!tions in
the Double Wing schee but +ill not sho+ an) statistics for the @5.
.ample
The best gae - sa+ a @5 !la) against the Double Wing he ended u! +ith 1 tackles but he +as
*oted M<7 of the gae. The @5 raed the center back, causing three fubled sna!s. 'e +as
constantl) getting double tea fro the guard lea*ing the $& untouched. The $& that gae ade 18
tackles. 'is biggest asset +as he sto!!ed the backside !ulling 5=T 8 ties and had / hits on the >&
on their buck s+ee!. The center +as called for holding / ties as he started to tackle the @5 on
e*er) !la). - ha*e used a 9110!ound Di*ision 1 !la)er to a 1190!ound +restler at @5. The great
thing about the 1190!ound +restler +as he +as line u! across fro a 9110!ound center. Most of the
tie )ou could not see hi on the fil but he +as creating !iles and kee!ing the !ulling lineen fro
getting to the 7O%. The best @5 t)!es are 191 !ound 8uick, fast $&'s
Defensive Tackle
The DT s!ot has to be an aggressi*e t)!e. - like the 6:ud)6 t)!e of undersi;ed !la)er +ith a huge
heart. Man) ties - ha*e !ut in a back u! +ho does not !la) uch and +ill do +hat )ou ask 111H.
% lot of the ties a noral DT +ants to !ursue and tr) to ake reads but this does not +ork. The DT
!osition takes an unselfish !la)er +ho +ill ake the cut and +ill gi*e u! his bod) for the rest of the
tea. The DT ain goal is to cut his OT e*er) tie causing a !ile at the 7O% or sto!!ing his OT
fro !ulling. .ither +a) he has taken a+a) a hole or soeone fro the Double Wing attack.
.ample
The best gae at this !osition +as a guard +ho did not !la) defense e*er but +as *er) coachable.
'e cut his DT and crabbed through hi e*er) !la). 'e did his 3ob in gi*ing u! his bod) and ade 6
tackles in the /
th
8uarter. %nother great gae +as !la)ed b) a 1"2 !ound back u! +ho ade his cut
e*er tie. 'is ,& to his side had gae high #2 tackles. M) 9110!ound stud that +ould not cut
!la)ed +orst gae. 'e +as the best blocker for the Double Wing tea as he +as constantl) being
!ushed back on the double tea. 'e +as e*entuall) benched for the rest of the gae as he told e
6he could not cut e*er) !la) and had to !la) noral defense 6

Defensive .nd
The D. has to be a kaika;e, contact !la)er. 'e has to 6shorten the neck6 of the F& and not get
kicked out on the !la). The D. ust ake the !la) bounce outside so the ,& can ake the !la).
'e cannot be too o*er aggressi*e and crash so hard inside that the) run the Toss outside of hi. The
D. ust ake huge disru!tions on the Toss and :e*erse !la)s. 'e has to be disci!lined and not go
u! field or he +ill gi*e a huge lane for the re*erse !la).
.ample
The best gae at this !osition +as our short, s8uatt) 2'2 192 D.. 'is +rong shouldering to a cut of
the F& bounced the !la) or caused a !ile so an) ties his ,& to his side had #2 tackles. Worst
gae +as the sae o*er aggressi*e kid +ho started to bite on the isdirection and +as getting u!
field too uch. This left a huge lane for the :e*erse. 'e also +as crashing so hard inside that the
F& logged hi in and the backside 5=T=>& !ulled around hi and tri!le tea the ,& on the Toss
!la).
/inebacker
The $& !osition needs to ha*e disci!line !la)ers +ho +ill read their ke)s and not the backfield
otion. The) ha*e a lot of isdirection and dece!tion to deci!her and needs to be sart, heads u!
!la)ers. >uickness and toughness are also needed, as the) +ill take on an) blockers.
.ample
The $&'s o*er the )ears ha*e been !rett) consistent in their !la). The) ake their reads and flo+ to
the ball. The +orse case +as - had t+o $&'s +ho +ere reading the backfield flo+ and +ere totall) lost.
The Double Wing tea +e !la)ed ran ## re*erses that gae and alost e*er) tie ) t+o0$&'s run
into each other as one read the flo+ and the other read the re*erse. That gae the Double Wing
tea ke!t the ball the entire /
th
8uarter on us.
0ornerback
The ,& !osition needs to be !la)ed b) )our best o!en field tackler. The ,& s!ot +ill be in a !osition
to ake e*er) tackle as e*er)one is funneling the ball carrier to the ,& !osition.
The ,& can be an) t)!e of !osition as long as he can shed blocks and ake tackles. This is the
glor) !osition as this !la)er a*erages about #1 tackles against Double Wing teas
.ample
The best ,& - ha*e seen +as our leading tackler (( +ho +as a 1/20!ound +restler. 'e ade #2
tackles and onl) issed # ties in a 1 on 1 situation. 'is DT and D. to his side +ere unsto!!able in
their 3ob of sacrificing thesel*es for the ,&. Man) of the tackles the ,& had +ere one on one
situation and he ade the ost of the for no gain or a loss. Worst case +as +hen - had a co*er
,& !la)s here and he either issed the tackle or +as run o*er. Most ties he +as a*oiding contact
and looked like he +as !la)ing t+o0hand touch.

1ree Safety
The F( needs to be a sart !la)er +ho can ake a tackle one on one like the ,&. The F( ust be
able to coe u! 8uick and be a force and contain !la)er but does not get caught in the !la) action
and gi*es u! the hoe run !ass !la). (!eed or si;e is not reall) an issue as heads u! or sart !la)
is ore desirable. @oral D&'s or e*en dis!laced $& in the Defending the Double Wing (chee can
an the F( !osition.
.ample
This !osition has been !rett) consistent for e through the )ears. - ha*e had +eaker co*er ,& and
outside backers !la) here along +ith noral safet) t)!es. The) all ha*e done a good 3ob of aking
tackles and co*ering the 7la) %ction. Their !ursuit +as good and the ade an) Touchdo+n sa*ing
tackles. The Worst case +as a hard0hitting (( +ho ke!t coing u! and aking big hits on the Toss
!la). .*en though he +as doing a great 3ob in sto!!ing the Toss he ga*e u! three huge !la) action
!asses +ith t+o of the going for scores.