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: Chris Petersen
Head Football Coach Boise 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
Boise State University Head Football Coach Chris Petersen. We are taking a detailed look at some of the formations that has lead
Chris Petersen to be one of the most successful football coaches in the college game. We will also give an in-depth look at some of
these formations intent that defines this master architect.
Next Topic: Kliff Kingsbury
Head Football Coach
Texas Tech University
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Boise State has had much success
over the last 8 years out witting
their opponent with a controlled
game plan that includes savvy
formation sequences and clock
controlling shifts and motions. A
team that shifts and moves around
like Boise State has a plan to
control the pace of the game, the
clock, and to make defenses adjust
constantly. Chris Petersen is an
impressive offensive mind and his
formations reflect Boise’s success.
This formation is what is called a
“4 Strong” formation. “4 strong”
meaning that 4 out of 5 possible
offensive eligible players are on
one side of the center as the other.
A few questions need to be asked
when evaluating and pre-snap
shifting offense. First, how does it
effect the defense when it comes to
adjustments? Secondly how does
the look and feel of the offense
change when it comes to a shifting
and motion plan during the course
of game? A good offense that is
balanced will likely be balanced in
multiple categories like motion both
left to right and right to left. The
same applies to shifting. A Boise
call sequence may simply call for a
shift or a motion at the time the
play was made in order to maintain
a totally balanced approach. This
particular “4 strong” formation has
multiple things going on. Notice the
“F” outside of the hash. Space
between the #2 or “F” receiver in
this case, and the “R” or near back
is created so that a particular
player can occupy that space
between the “F” and the “R”
usually post snap. In this case the
“Y” splits the difference between
the “F” and the “R” back pre-snap.
The “Y” almost forces the “R” to
shift away because there are too
many bodies that occupy that
space, especially when their is a TE
on the line of scrimmage. That
limits the amount of play calls an
offensive coordinator has on his
call sheet for this specific formation.
If a shift did not occur than a run
play away from the “F” could be
anticipated.
Pro
Number of running backs: 1
Number of receivers: 3
Number of Tight ends: 1
Formation Type: Female
Formation demeanor: Pass
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Motion to the boundary is
interesting in this formation. This
pistol formation with an offset back
reeks of a run play because of the
“Y” being on the line of scrimmage.
These formation assessments are
not about guessing plays but rather
anticipating what will not happen.
The motion by the “R” back creates
a 2x2 formation but now
fundamentally creates the illusion of
a balanced offensive set. This is a
drastic change from a 2 back pistol
formation to a 2x2 formation that
still has heavy run implication. The
“X” is also on the line of scrimmage
so that also increase the chances of
this being a run play. When teams
motion there is a sense that they
want to see something specific in
what the defense does? However
that approach might in fact minimize
what shifting and motion really
means to a Boise State philosophy.
The expectation of scoring must be
very high for Chris Petersen given
the amount of patience it takes to
execute such a detailed and
purposeful game plan. A scoring
expectation could also be tied to the
reality that Chris Petersen is always
one or two plays ahead of the
defense. A question that can be
asked is why does the “R” back step
to motion towards the “F” rather
than step to motion away from the
“F”?
Pro
Number of running backs: 2
Number of receivers: 3
Number of Tight ends: 0
Formation Type: Male
Formation demeanor: Run
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On several occasions we have discussed
unbalanced formations. Unbalanced
formations are all about re-centering the
formation. The “F” confirms that the new
center is the guard to the side of the “Y”.
What does the term new center really
mean? The focal point of a one back
formation is the back when he is
featured deep in the backfield. The “Y”
has now become the widest offensive
lineman. The “Y” can now be considered
the new “tackle”, the tackle now the
“new guard” and the guard now the
“new center.” The advantage of doing
this by Chris Petersen is increasing the
illusion of the “Y” still being a passing
threat. Most defensive coaches are
unwilling to “not” cover an offensive
player regardless of eligibility? A
question that can be asked is why would
a defensive coach cover an ineligible
offensive player? The motion by the “F”
puts him in direct alignment behind the
“new center.” This conclusion almost
guarantees that this play will not only be
a run but a run to the offenses left. Boise
State aligns into many unbalanced
formations along with shifting and
motion. This type of game plan is the
reason why they win. How can their own
defense benefit from this type of offense.
From a practice stand point their defense
has likely adjusted to every type of
unbalanced formation possible
Pro Unbalanced
Number of running backs: 2
Number of receivers: 3
Number of Tight ends: 0
Formation Type: Male
Formation demeanor: Run
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