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: theoreticalfootball@gmail.com

Defending The Best Offensive Minds

Topic: Todd Dodge Head Football Coach

Marble Falls High School, TX

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

then South Lake Carroll High School , TX Head football coach Todd Dodge. We are taking a detailed look some of the formations

that lead Todd Dodge to be the most successful high school coach in the state of Texas.

Next Topic: Tony Franklin

Offensive Coordinator

Cal

X

What makes a 3x1 formation with a TE so

dangerous? An ideal running game will

include the use of a TE on or off the line of

scrimmage. Adding a 3x1 element to the

TE’s deceleration allows for both a great

running and passing formation to the side

of the “Y.” The “R”, or the offset back in

this case, balances the formation as much

as possible but the formation is still

“heavy” to one side. “Heavy” meaning

that that #3, or the “Y” in this case is

weighing the formation down by being

both on the same side as the “F” and the

“Z” but also being on the line of

scrimmage. There are three practical ways

to look at formations. The first way is to

look at a formation from an “equal

distribution of the offensive eligible”

standpoint or (EDE). There will always be a

“pre-snap” or “post-snap” aspect when

strictly assessing formations and not plays.

The second practicality when looking at

formations is either as an “even”

formation or an “odd” formation. The

offensive line is constant. Sure, an offense

can go “tackle over” but we will discuss

this on a case by case basis. #3, or the “Y”

in this case in on the offensive left side of

the center. Therefore three out of the five

offensive eligible players are on one side.

This would be considered an “odd”

formation. The third common sense way

of looking ay formations is by way of

personnel groups. This is the most popular

way but not necessarily the best from a

defensive perspective. Think of personnel

groups as carrying weight. 22 personnel is

likened to 22 pounds and 10 personnel is

likened to 10 pounds. The lighter the

personnel group the more agile the

formation. The heavier the personnel group

the more stout or maybe even cumbersome

the formation. Todd Dodge is an excellent

football coach and understands formations

very well. It is much easier to lose football

games than it is to win them. Todd Dodge

has won more football games than lost

and it is no accident that the pre-snap

structure and plan to his formations is

directly tied to his schematic on the field

success.

Pro

Number of running backs: 1

Number of receivers: 3

Number of tight ends: 1

Formation type: Female

Formation demeanor: Pass

1

X

Here we have another 3x1 formation but it is

structured totally different from the previous

formation. This is a pure “slot” formation

meaning that the “X” and “Z” are on the

same side. Why is that so important? This

formation also has a “4 strong” element

meaning that the “R” is the 4th offensive

eligible to one side of the center. “4 strong”

formations have been a regular topic during

this “defending the best offensive minds”

series. This formation is some what unique

because it has some very obvious strengths.

First, it forces the defense to what we call an

“automated trigger of checks” or (ATC). There

are 4 basic checks that a defense can use and

that an offense can and should assume. These

basic checks include “trips”, “wing”, “empty”,

“pressure”, “slot” or (TWEPS) for short. There

is still the idea that the running game is very

viable because the TE, or the “Y” in this case

is on the line of scrimmage. That solidifies the

possibility of a solid running play away from

the “4 strong” side. The second strength of

this formation is to the trips side however, it

really depends on the width of #1 or the “X”

in this case. The modern day college defense

because of the width of the hashes use them

as land marks in their zone drops and

distribution. This is a very important point

once post snap play starts. How many

defensive zone concepts use the hash as a

land mark from outside in? In other words

would any defender who aligns outside the

hash pre-snap, use the hash as a land mark

post-snap? Notice the proximity of the “Z”

and the “F” while splitting the hash mark.

What is even more interesting is the width of

#1 or the “X” in this case. Proximity of

offensive eligible players to the quarterback is

very important when eliminating scenarios on

defense rather than using the widely used

method of gathering tendencies. There is only

one other offensive player besides the

quarterback, in this case, that is going to be

given the ball by way of pass or hand off?

Does each offense eligible have an equal

chance of getting the ball based on their

proximity to the quarterback? The answer is

no! Todd Dodge likes this formation and so do

I. Most 3x1 formation have a “limited run

weak” element to them. However the TE or

“Y” in this case is on the line of scrimmage.

That aids in balancing this top heavy “4

strong” slot formation.

Pro Slot

Number of running backs: 1

Number of receivers: 3

Number of tight ends: 1

Formation type: Female

Formation demeanor: Pass

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