Go Cougars!

 

 

SWAC Jr. Football and Cheer

 

Offensive Players

 

Offensive players can line up in nearly any alignment as long as 7 players are on the line of scrimmage (where the ball is placed) and 4 players are behind the line of scrimmage (in the backfield).

 

For example in the following diagram, 7 players on the line and 4 behind the line.

 

The players on the line are:

 

Center "C" - The center passes the ball between his legs to the quarterback (this is called the snap).  After the snap the center blacks the defensive players.

 

Guards "G" - There are two guards (one on each side of the center.  They block for the running backs.

 

Tackles "T" - There are two tackles (each outside the guards).  They block for the backs as well.

 

Ends "TE" - These players are on the end of the line of scrimmage outside the tackles.  Of the 7 players on the line these are the only 2 who can handle the ball.

 

The players behind the line are:

 

Quarterback "QB" - This player aligns behind the center receives the snap and can either hand the ball to another back, run himself or throw a pass to another back or to an end.

 

Backs ("HB", "FB", and "Flk") -  "HB" stands for Halfback, "FB" stands for fullback and "Flk" stands for flanker.  These players often have different names depending on the offensive philosophy of the coach, however HB, FB and Flanker and generally accepted names for these players.  These players can line up anywhere as long as they are behind the line of scrimmage.  They can run with ball, block for another player, catch a pass, and even throw a pass to another back or end.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Offensive Formations

 

The above players can line up in any formation, as long as 7 of them are on the line of scrimmage and 4 are behind the line.  The number of formations are limitless.  Here are a few you will likely to see in a youth football game.

 

T Formation

 

The T formation is a formation where the QB and running backs are all immediately behind the 7 lineman in the shape of a "T"

Leaving the FB and the HB split behind the offensive line still allows the the team a number of ways to run the ball, but the WR outside the formation gives them an option to pass the ball down field.  One limitation of split running backs is it is difficult for the running backs to block for each other in what coaches call a power running play.

 

I Formation

 

The I formation solves the power blocking problem, where the FB is lined up in front of the HB and is in a position to block for the HB anywhere he runs.

The FB is immediately behind the QB with HB and Flanker split evenly behind the Tackles.  This is an example of what some coaches call a "Full House" backfield because all the backs are immediately behind the offensive line and in a position to get the ball from the QB, as a result it is primarily a running formation.

 

Split Backs Formation

 

By taking one of the running backs (Flanker) and splitting him outside of the formation, we make him a wide receiver.  The 2 remaining running backs are spilt behind the offensive line.

The Left Guard has double teamed the defended over the Center the FB runs off the Guard's hip and blocks the Linebacker (LB) on the left side.  The HB gets the ball from the QB and follows the FB through the hole.

 

Sweep Play

 

Often a coach will want to run a play to the outside of the formation, because outside plays have a greater likelihood of gaining more yards.  The sweep play is one play to get to the outside.

In this example, we are running the sweep play out of the T formation.  Basically, everyone runs and blocks to the right.  The Flanker and FB lead block to the outside.  The HB gets the ball and follows everyone to the outside.  He wants to get outside of the defense and run up the sideline.

 

Reverse

 

When a team tries to Sweep too much, the defense can flow to the ball and stop it.  So coaches like to use what is called "mis-direction" to take advantage of this defensive flow and force the defense to defend the entire field.  A reverse is an example of a mis-direction play.

Now the FB can lead block for for the HB anywhere across offensive line.

 

Offensive Plays

 

Now lets look at a couple of basic plays using these formations.

 

Blast Play

 

The first play is a "Blast" play out of a Split Backs formation.  The QB takes the snap form the center and hands the ball to the FB who follows the offensive line as they block the player in front of them.

This is a quick hitting play where the FB runs right behind the Right Guard.

 

Lead Play

 

The lead play is power running play, where the FB leads the HB through the line.  In this case it is run out the I formation, because the FB is in a position to easily lead the HB.

The FB and HB run to the right.  The HB takes the ball from the QB.  The Flanker who is wide right, runs back to the left, takes the ball from the HB and runs around the left end.