THE I FORMATION

Typical personnel:

1 tailback;
1 fullback;
1 or 2 tight ends;
1 or 2 wide receivers

What it is:

A basic offensive formation that is best suited for Power running since both of the backs are lined up between the tackles in the middle of the formation. With the HB being the furtherest from the line of scrimmage. Giving you the best possible advantage when it comes to seeing the holes in the line when they open up. Most of the plays that call for rushes up the gut or off tackle are run from this formation. Once you've established a solid dive, off tackle, or pitch scheme to one side of the formation. You switch it up and throw in a counter measure play to the other side of the formation. Play action is a sure bet with this formation.

Keys to a winning I Form:

To be consistently successful from the I formation, you'll need a BURLY, hard-hitting fullback to help clear the way for a quick, durable tailback. The offensive line also has to be powerful enough to create HOLES when the defense knows what is coming.

"This offensive set won a lot of championship rings for the Dallas Cowboys".

Works well when: You have a strong offensive line and a fullback that can slam into the defensive front and create holes for your running back. You shouldn't use this formation if you don't have the personnel.

Strengths: Offers good balance between running and passing, but passing success depends on running the ball well. With the I, teams run to set up the pass. Play-action passes are very effective when running game is successful. Teams can run to either side of the formation with equal success.

Weaknesses: Defenses know you are going to run the MAJORITY of the time from the I, so it's easy for them to focus on the featured running back. Always having two running backs on the field, limits the number of available pass receivers. If the running game gets bogged down, play-action passes lose their effectiveness.

I-Form Sub- Formations                   

Weak I-Full Back lines up behind the guard on the side opposite the Tight End, while the Tail Back lines up directly behind the Center and Quarter Back.

I Normal-Full Back and Tail Back line up directly behind the Center and Quarter Back. Wide Receiver lines up in the backfield and split wide on the same side as the Tight End.

I Twins-FB and TB line up directly behind the C and QB. On the side opposite the TE, one WR is flanked wide on the line of scrimmage, while the other lines up in the "slot" between the FL and the OT.

Strong I-Fullback lines up behind the guard on the same side of the line as the tight end, while the tailback lines up directly behind the center and quarterback.

Spread Weak I-Fullback lines up behind the guard on the side opposite the tight end, while the tailback lines up directly behind the center and quarterback. Tight end or receiver line up wide with another receiver in the slot, while a third receiver lines up wide on the opposite side of the line.

Spread I-FB and TB line up directly behind center and QB. TE or receiver line up wide with another receiver in the slot, while a third receiver lines up wide on the opposite side on the line.
The Pro Form

Typical personal:

2 running backs
1 or 2 tight ends
1 or 2 wide receivers

WHAT IT IS: This formation is primarily a passing formation. It is the most used formation in the NFL. It is popular because of its advantages of being a balanced set. A fullback (FB) and a half back (HB) line up next to each other behind the quarterback (QB) who can get out into pass patterns fast. It can also be used for running plays. Hence it is balanced; it allows for runs or passes to both sides of the field.

Keys to a winning Pro Form: Unlike the I, which runs to set up the pass, many of the best Pro Form teams pass to set up the run. When both running backs stay in the back field to block, the quarterback has more time to throw intermediate and deep pass routes.

"The Pittsburgh Steelers of old won many Championships out of this formation". They had a awesome one two punch in Franco Harris and Rocky Bliar.

Works well when: You want to keep your opponent guessing as to what your next play will be. You can run the ball down his throat thanks to the FB and the tight end (TE) or you can go deep to either of your wide outs.

Strengths: The is a balanced formation run or pass you should gain yardage. You can also work the West Coast style from this formation also. When both running backs stay in the backfield to block, the quarterback has more time to throw intermediate and deep pass routes.


A neat trick I like to pull on my opponents is. I'll already have some Pro Form plays and Shot Gun 2 RB plays lined up as my audibles. I'll pick I formation any play, according to the field position, and break the HUDDLE. While approaching the line on scrimmage I'll check the position of the opposition. If they are about to BLITZ I'll audible to one of the SHOT GUN 2 RB set, and follow though with a counter play. If they set up to stop my play I'll audible the a PRO FORM play and hit something in the flats. Sometimes I'll pick the I formation play and then AUDIBLE to a Pro Form play just to see the RB's get their formational shift "ON" and cause CONFUSION on my opposition. ALA " Dallas Cowboys days of old"

Weaknesses: If a team's performance is not BALANCED - you're unable to run or pass effectively - the defense can gear up to stop what you were doing well.

Pro-Form Sub-formations

One running back lines up behind each guard in all sub-formations, plus the following.

Split Normal-One wide receiver splits wide on the line of scrimmage, the other is split wide but lined up in the backfield on the opposite side of the line of scrimmage.

Split Slot Normal-Wide receivers line up wide on the line, with the tight end lined up in the slot between a tackle and a flanked wide receiver.

Split Twins Normal-One wide receiver splits wide on the side opposite the tight end, and a flanker lines up in the slot.

Split 3 WR-The tight end is replaced by a third wide receiver, and a flanker lines up in the slot. This is one of the best formations to operate out of the WCO West Coast Offense.

Split Big-One wide receiver is replaced by a second tight end, both tight ends line up next to offensive tackles, and a flanker splits wide to one side of the line.
The Near Formation

Typical personnel:

1 halfback
1 fullback
1 or 2 tight ends
1 or 2 wide receivers

What it is:

This formation is like the Far except that the HB lines up strong side, with the FB behind the QB.

This formation is well suited for the West Coast Style scheme. A base formation that has the (FB) fullback lining up behind the quarterback and the (HB) halfback lining up splitting the inside leg of the strong side tackle. The strong side is always where the tight end lines up. The FB is a running threat to either side of the formation. He can also be used as a possible third receiver either to the strong side or weak side. The HB can be used in route combinations with the flanker, and (TE) tight end.

Keys to a winning Near Formation: To be consistently successful from the near formation, you'll need a BURLY, hard-hitting fullback to SLAM into the line of scrimmage. The offensive line also has to be powerful enough to create HOLES when the defense knows what is coming. You'll have to have a FAST, nimble, halfback that can hit the corner with blinding speed.

Works well when: You flood the strong side of the formations with passes to three targets. The HB, TE, Fl can be all targets to the strong side. The HB is in prefect position to get to the out side of the formation QUICKLY. Hence the HB PITCH and TOSS plays are DEADLY with the RIGHT HB.

Strengths: Offers good balance between running and passing, but passing success depends on running the ball well. With the Near, teams run to set up the pass. Play-action passes are very effective when running game is successful. Roll out or sprint out passes work great towards the strong side. Teams tend to run towards the strong side of the formation with success. Counter plays work fine after you've set them up to defend strong side.

Weaknesses: Defenses know you are going to run strong side the MAJORITY of the time from the NEAR, so it's easy for them to focus on the featured running back. Always having two running backs on the field, limits the number of available pass receivers. If the running game gets bogged down, play-action passes lose their effectiveness.

Near-Form Sub-formations

One running back lines up behind each guard in all sub-formations, plus the following.

Near Normal-One wide receiver splits wide on the line of scrimmage, the other is split wide but lined up in the backfield on the opposite side of the line of scrimmage.

Near Slot Normal-Wide receivers line up wide on the line, with the tight end lined up in the slot between a tackle and a flanked wide receiver.

Near Twins Normal-One wide receiver splits wide on the side opposite the tight end, and a flanker lines up in the slot.

Near 3 WR-The tight end is replaced by a third wide receiver, and a flanker lines up in the slot. This is one of the best formations to operate out of the WCO West Coast Offense.

Near Big-One wide receiver is replaced by a second tight end, Both tight ends line up next to offensive tackles, and a flanker splits wide to one side of the line.

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