defending the best offensive minds - ohio state head coach urban meyer

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: Urban Meyer

Head Football Coach Ohio 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

Ohio State University Head Football Coach Urban Meyer. We are taking a detailed look at his Utah playbook and some of the

formations that lead him to a BCS win in 2004 to capping off a perfect 12-0 season. We will also give an in-depth look at some of

these formations intent that defines this master architect.

Next Topic: Chris Petersen

Head Football Coach

Boise State

X

What type of strategy would you

use vs. an Urban Meyer offense?

It is a tough question to answer

being that he is the god father of

many of the bastard formations

that you see in today’s modern

day spread offense. Since the

“forward pass” a formation that

does not maintain the eligibility,

of all 5 potential eligible

offensive players, should be

considered an “irrational”

formation. There are 10 times

more “irrational” formation

combinations than “rational.”

Rational meaning that all 5

eligible offensive players

maintain their legal eligibility

prior to the ball being snapped.

The formation that you see above

is unbalanced. The “Y” is

covered which renders him

ineligible. Whenever an offense

does this, they sacrifice the

eligibility of one player in order

to re-center the formation. Re-

centering the formation in this

case has created the illusion that

the short side of the formation is

at a disadvantage. The “new”

center can be treated as one of

two people. First, the offensive

guard to the side of the “F”.

Second, the offensive guard to

the side of the “X”. The offensive

guard to the side of the “X” will

likely be the new center because

the “R” has now become the

focal point of this formation.

There are a few questions that

need to be asked about what all

of this really means? The

chances of running the ball have

increased by going unbalanced.

Why does Urban Meyer sacrifice

a heavy tendency of run for this

formation? A defense has many

more chances of being wrong,

both pre-snap and post-snap,

rather than being right. Urban

Meyer knows this and can take

advantage of the illusion that he

has created and can also stress

the defense by extended the “Y”

that is in ineligible.

Pro Unbalanced

Number of running backs: 1

Number of receivers: 2

Number of Tight ends: 2

Formation Type: Male

Formation demeanor: Run

1

X

Any defense that you

employ vs. a bunch set

likely has a bunch “check”

depending on the concept.

We have discussed this

offset pistol formation in

our discussion on Noel

Mazzone, UCLA’s offensive

coordinator and master

architect. It has subtle

advantages that are difficult

to notice with the naked

eye. Depth of the back

maximizes the vision of the

running back pre-snap.

Depth also allows for the

full development of a run

play especially in a zone

running game. Urban Meyer

is a very good offensive

mind and his formations

reflect the success of Utah

from 2004. What is it about

this formation that stands

out the most? This is a “4

strong” formation. Meaning

that 4 out of the 5 eligible

offensive players are on

one side of the center. This

is not necessarily an

advantage for the offense

but rather a disadvantage

for the defense. Given the

land scape of college

football most defense

coaches have a quarters

based coverage package for

spread type teams that

feature a duel threat

quarterback. A “4 strong

formation throws most

quarters based coverage's

off because, of the

inhereint rules when it

comes to “crack replace”,

and relating and reacting to

the “new #3 receiver post

snap, in the passing game.

Any disadvantages that the

offense may have pre-snap

of because of this “4

Strong” formation are

negated by the reality that

the “F” or #3 receiver, can

realistically get into pitch

phase with the quarterback

off of dive action.

Pro




Formation Type: Female

Formation demeanor: Pass

2

X

There is a misconception about

the existence of gaps that really

needs to be clarified. Gaps that

need to be defended are not

necessary tied to just the box.

Gaps are defined by

relationships, and those

relationships are defined by

formations, and formations sit on

top of the football field. This

formation is very difficult to

defend because it preys on the

responsibilities of the defense

when it comes to both “slot” and

“wing” adjustments. A question

that can be asked is why did

Urban Meyer keep a close

proximity of the “Z” to offensive

tackle?

Pro Slot






3

X

Empty sets are interesting because they

imply pass and in most cases would be

confirmed post snap by a pass play. The

interesting thing about this particular

formation is the “R” on the line of

scrimmage. When both #2 receivers, in

this case the “R” and the “Y”, are on the

line of scrimmage, teams typically want to

run the football. This comes from years of

studying formations and their natural

demeanor. An empty set negates this

philosophy so the question is why does

the Urban Meyer place the “R” on the line

of scrimmage? Defensive coaches usually

make a decision to either blitz empty or to

max cover it and usually nothing in

between. Utah has a very successful year

and Urban Meyer is a master at creating

formations to sustain his dynamic offense.

Pro






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defending the best offensive minds - ohio state head coach urban meyer

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