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 When
you play a game of football remember you're on a constant fact-finding
mission, and a lot of the strategy has to do with formations. The game has
a few basic rules about where the players are allowed to line up. Keep in
mind there must be seven offensive men on the line of scrimmage and five
of them must be linemen who are ineligible to catch passes. The first step
of a formation is to allow your team to do what it does best. The next
step is to find out how your opponent will line up when it sees a
particular formation. The first time you pick a formation use this as a
test run. Yes, you want the play you pick to work, but if it doesn't,
that's ok because your main concern is to learn something (anything) about
your opponent. If your opponent picks the same defense and executes the
same coverage the next time you come out in the same formation. You have
just learned about a "Tendency" of the defense. Here is where
football can be compare to chess. Your next step is your most important
one. Which is to take advantage of his tendency. Every play in a football
game centers on what happen previously. What you learn in the first
quarter will help you decide on what to do in the fourth. Everything
starts with your Formations so lets look into them. In Madden NFL,
offensive plays are divided into I, Pro Form, Near, Far, Single Back,
Shotgun, and goal line. The following sections well describe the basic
design of the formations and their various "sub-formations". I
have included "strengths" and "weaknesses" to help you
decide when to choose plays within each formation.
"This is a good place to note, all teams use different terminology to
describe their formations but here is the universal names for each
formation."
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I-FORM
In this formation, the
halfback and fullback line up directly behind the QB forming an
"I." Normally, there is one wide out on both side and one tight
end.
Best for: The
I-Form is great for running inside, as the fullback usually provides a lead
block for the halfback.
Normal: The standard I, has a wide out on the left, a tight end on the right
end and another slot receiver to the right.
Big: An I-formation with a tight end at either side of the line, and one
slot receiver to the right. Great for power running and passing plays to one
or both of the tight ends. Provides maximum protection for your QB.
 Twin WR: Two
receivers are loaded up on the left side of the line. This makes for
confusing crossing routes and drag-type plays, where one receiver goes long
and pulls coverage off of the other. It's also good to use this to run to
the left, as the DBs will be busy covering and can't help on the run.
3WR: Wide outs on opposite sidelines and a slot receiver to the right
characterize this scheme. Great for lead plays to the right, or slant-type
passing plays.
Strong I
In the Strong I, the
fullback is offset a bit right, on the same side as the tight end. The idea
here is that you're loading up the right side of the formation with
blockers. Run over this side or pass underneath after the coverage commits
to the right. Strong I plays normally happen quickly, and are designed
primarily for short yardage.
Big: This adds another tight end on the weak side, for extra protection and
run blocking.
WEAK I
In the Weak
I, the fullback is offset a bit left, opposite of the tight end. Still
primarily a running formation, this also allows for easy passing to the two
backs out of the backfield.
Big: The big Weak I uses an extra tight end on the fullback's side, making
running a little easier.
SINGLE BACK
The single
back formation is balanced for the run and pass. One back (usually the
halfback) lines up five yards behind the QB. This leaves one tight end and
several receivers to catch passes. The single back formation is versatile,
but what you do with it depends on your personnel and the version of it you
select. If you have a speedy back, you may want to run sweep and toss
running plays out of this formation, because one of its main characteristics
is that it spreads the field. If your back doesn't have the wheels, keep him
in the backfield to protect the QB as he passes.
Normal: One back in the backfield, slot receivers on each end of the line, a
TE to the right and a wide out to the left define this package.
Big: Also called an Ace formation. Two tight ends buttress the O-line, and a
wide out lines up on each sideline. Run outside with a speedy back or pass
to your tight ends out of this set.
Trips: Trips is designed to cause confusion and get DBs tied up in coverage.
Three receivers line up to the left of the line, with one tight end on the
right. The three WRs will run routes that overlap and "pick" the
D, usually springing someone in the chaos. Since this play commits so many
defenders to the left, it can be exploited with an outside run to that side
as well.
4WR: Two slot receivers and two wide outs line up on either side of the
formation. Great for downfield passing routes or surprise runs.
SPLIT BACKS
The Split
Backs formation is one of the most versatile set in the game (It was
formerly called Pro Form). Two running backs are in a split formation in the
backfield. A receiver lines up in the slot to the right, along with a tight
end. One wide out lines up on the left. Run or pass out of this formation,
according to your team's strengths. If you have speedy receivers, heave it
up top. If you have a quick back, run outside.
Normal: On passing plays, the TE will usually get out and act as a receiver.
3WR: This set replaces the TE with a slot receiver. A great downfield
formation (in lieu of the Shotgun), as one back stays in to protect the QB.
FAR
The Far
formation calls for the halfback to the left of the fullback (who is lined
up behind the QB) in the backfield. One-receiver lines up slot right and
another wide left. This formation is set up primarily as an outside rushing
set. The action is always preceded by a lead blocker: the fullback going
right or the halfback going left.
NEAR
The Near
formation is the opposite of Far. The halfback lines up to the right of the
fullback, towards the tight end. This formation is primarily used as an
inside run formation, with the halfback following a block from the fullback.
If it's used as a passing formation, one of the backs stays to cover the QB
as the other shoots into the flat. A great short yardage set.
SHOTGUN
The shotgun
formation is primarily used for passing. The QB takes a couple of steps back
off the line and the ball is snapped back to him. The extra distance gives
him a chance to survey the field and read the defense before dishing the
ball.
Normal: The standard shotgun formation boasts a wide out left and a slot
receiver on either side of the line. One tight end bookends the right of the
line, and a fullback is next to the QB to offer protection (or sneak out to
catch a short pass).
4WR: In this version of the formation, another receiver is added at the
right wide out position. The tight end either moves into the slot or is
replaced by a WR. Great for long-yardage plays.
2RB 3WR: Two
running backs provide maximum protection and outlet passing options for the
QB. Two wide outs and a slot receiver to the right provide downfield passing
options. This is also a great formation for running out of the shotgun.
5WR: This is your kitchen sink set. It provides for the least amount of QB
protection, so you'll have to get rid of the ball quickly. There are no
tight ends, two wide outs (on either side of the line), two slot receivers
to the right and one to the left. When you need a lot of yards in a hurry,
this is the set for you.
GOAL LINE
Goal line
formations are designed for short yardage. More often than not, you'll be
running this formation when you need to pick up a couple of inches or maybe
a yard. There is massive run support and protection, with two tight ends, a
fullback and only one receiver.
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