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The First Digit - Formations

The basic formations place the wing either on the tight end side, the split end side, or both sides.  The wing will be positioned to the right in 100, 200, 300, or 400 formations and to the left with the mirrors 900, 800, 700, or 600 formations.  The wing is split at a distance of four yards from the offensive tackle and two yards deep. There will be wing backs to both sides in all formations called with "colors."  The split of the spread end is dependent on either the defense or the flanking angle desired.  The linemen, including the TE, have normal splits of two feet but the tackles may widen to three feet if the guards are uncovered and the TE may widen to six feet against even eight man fronts.  The Tailbacks heels are four yards from the back tip of the football behind the center and QB.  The Diveback's heels are also four yards from the back tip of the football (parallel with the tailback) and he is straddling the outside leg of the offensve tackle.

The 100 or 900 formations place the wing with the TE and the spread end splits at a distance of 10-12 yards from the tackle opposite the wing.  This split is used when the establishing of a blocking angle is not of primary concern or when forcing a four deep secondary to invert.  The spread end should never be closer than five yards from the sideline.

100 - 900 Formations

 

When you wish to create an additional blocking angle at the flank the formations may be modified with the term "Split" which alters the spread end's alignment.  This call reduces the width of the spread end to four to six yards from the offensive tackle.

Split 100 - Split 900 Formations

 

When the spread end splits beyond ten yards to the side of the wing, this is referred to as "Spread" formation.

Spread 100 - Spread 900 Formations

 

When wishing to create an additional blocking angle at the flank to the wing the spread end will assume his "Slot" position.  The spread end "Slot" position splits him from six to eight yards from the tackle to the side of the wing.

Slot 100 - Slot 900 Formations

 

When wishing to create a formation with two tight ends the prefix "Tight" is used and this positions the spread end (or a second TE) in the TE position.

Tight 100 - Tight 900 Formations

 

The terms "Right" and "Left" as a prefix creates an unbalanced line by bringing an end over to the designated side.  This can also be done by keeping the ends normal and bring a tackle over to the designated side which is called "Tackles Right" or "Tackles Left."

Right 100 - Left 900

 

The term "Pro" as a prefix splits both the spread end and the wing in wide positions. 

Pro 100 - Pro 900

 

The term 200 or 800 moves the Tailback to a position straddling the guard's outside leg on the wing side.  This gives you power at the flank and the possibility of flooding the wing side with three receivers.

200 - 800 Formations

 

The term 300 or 700 moves a halfback across the formation as a dive back to the wing back side.  This formation is used to overload a defense with extra blockers or to flood a side with receivers.  These formations give you a bunch passing game.

300 - 700 Formations

 

The term "X" preceding the formation places the tailback in a normal wing position opposite the wing, while the dive back remains in his dive back position.

 

X 100 - X 900

 

The formations that are named with colors ("Red", "Blue" etc.) are formations that place both of the halfbacks in wing positions

 

Red - Blue