Strategy of American football

American football is somewhat like war. A successful strategy includes assessing your offensive and defensive capabilities and how those match up with those of your opponent. It also includes choosing between relying on your strengths and doing what your team does best (which is what your opponent expects you to do) or relying on the element of surprise, utilizing unconventional tactics, to catch your opponent off guard and thus gain the advantage. Unlike war, however, each side alternates between being on offense and defense in an orderly fashion. Each successive turn is called a possession or drive. During a possession, the team on offense attempts to advance the ball toward the opponent's goal, gaining as much yardage as possible on each play. Each play is also referred to as a down. Downs are akin to battles fought in the trenches on the line of scrimmage. Strategy is the key to effective play: whether on offense, defense, or special teams, a team must make good decisions before the play even begins in order to overcome what the other team may bring to bear.

Offensive strategy

When on offense, the goal, of course, is to invade the opponents' territory and stand triumphant in their end zone, ball in hand (touchdown). Even the best offenses, though, often score less than half the time, so if an offense cannot score a touchdown, their next best outcome is getting close enough to kick a field goal. If the offense cannot get 10 yards (first down) in three downs and is not in field goal range, their best bet might be to punt the ball and get the other team as close to their goal line as possible and hope their defense does the job. This is the battle of field position. It is also imperative that when an offense has the ball, they be aware of where their team stands in the larger "war." This is called clock management. If a team is trailing on the scoreboard and it is late in the game, they want to not only score, but score quickly. Passing the ball is a quicker way of moving the ball and scoring than Running the ball. Conversely, if a team is ahead and the end is near, they will want to chew up as much time as possible, so keeping the clock moving by using running plays is probably what they will want to do.

Offensive players

On offense, there are three type of players: linemen, backs, and receivers. The player's abilities as well as the coach's philosophy determine what formations a team will run their plays out of (or often vice versa a coach will choose players with abilities to compliment the offensive formation and plays he likes. The basic positions and their general duties; however, don't vary from team to team that much. The players are the "foot soldiers" in the game of football, so understanding football strategy begins with understanding what each players role is. The position name (and the Initials recognized by coaches, players, and fans alike shown in bold below) may vary from one teams' playbook to another, these are the ones most commonly used:

Linemen

• Center- The Center C is the player who snaps the ball to the QB. Like the other four linemen, his job is blocking- run blocking means impeding the defenders efforts to tackle the ball carrier on a running play, pass blocking means stopping the defenders from disrupting or tackling the QB. The center is also usually responsible for calling the blocking schemes on the line, directing the other linemen on who blocks who.
• Guard - Guards G line up on both sides of the center. The guards are generally bigger than the center and are typically better run blockers than pass blockers.
• Tackle - Tackles T are the "bookends" of the offensive line. They are usually the biggest offensive linemen, but also must be agile enough to thwart any outside pass rush. If a team has a righthanded QB, the left tackle is usually the best pass blocker on the line to prevent a "blindside" pass rush the QB might not see.

Backs

• Quarterback The Quarterback QB is the "Field General" of the offense. Aside from being the leader of the offense, making sure the team knows which plays are being run, the QB must take the ball from the C (in a motion called the 'snap') and put it into play. In most offenses, his primary duty is either passing the ball, or making the opposing team believe he's going to pass the ball while handing it off to the RB for running the ball. Since passing the ball is an offense's quickest way to move the ball downfield, a team must have a QB who can throw the ball accurately and make the right decisions on which player is in the best position to be to thrown the ball (the "open" receiver). In some offenses, the QB is often called upon to run the ball downfield as part of the play, and a QB might have to take the ball and run if pass protection breaks down and there are no open receivers.
• Halfback The Halfback HB, also known as Running Back RB or Tailback TB , is on the field for one major purpose- to run the ball. If a team is to have an effective running game, it falls on the HB's shoulders. He may have blocking duties and in some offenses and on some plays he may become a receiver, but in most offenses, the HB is there to run.
• Fullback The Fullback FB is also a running back, but in recent years, the FB position has developed into more of a blocking back, and in some schemes a receiver. The FB is usually the bigger, more physical of the two running backs, and so often a QB will often hand the ball to his FB in short yardage situations where every inch must be earned the hard way.

Receivers

• Wide receiver: Depending on the formation, an offense may have anywhere from one to five wide receivers (WRs). Most formations feature two WRs, though at the professional level, three-WR formations are increasingly common. Receivers are among the fastest, tallest, and most agile players on the team and their job is to get "open" (create distance between themselves and defenders), catch the ball when thrown to them, and run after the catch. Well-rounded receivers are also effective downfield blockers, though effectiveness in that regard is extremely secondary to their pass-catching role.

• Tight end: The tight end (TE) used to be considered simply a hybrid wide receiver/lineman. Not fast enough to be a wide receiver, not big enough to be a lineman, the tight end did a little of both depending on the situation. Today, some tight ends are the best of both worlds. Make no mistake, the best tight ends are a potent weapon in their offense's arsenal. Other teams alternate tight ends using a good receiving tight end on passing downs and a good blocker in obvious running situations.

Offensive formations

Before the ball is snapped, before the linemen collide into each other, comes the formation. The formation a team lines up in says a lot about a team's offensive strategy. Most teams have a "base" formation they prefer to line up in, while other teams like to leave the defense guessing. Teams will often have "special formations" which they only use in obvious passing situations, short yardage or goaline situations, or formations they have developed for that particular game just to confuse the defense. Because there are a nearly unlimited number of possible formations, only a few of the more common ones are listed below.

• Pro Set
• Shotgun formation
• Wishbone formation
• I formation
• Goal Line formation
• Single set Back

Offensive plays

Running plays

• Line Plunge
• Sweep
• Reverse
• Off Tackle Run
• Student Body Right
• Draw play
• Counter Trey
• Quarterback sneak
• QB sweep
• Option
• Counter_run
• Power_run
• Zone_run

Passing plays

• Screen Pass
• Hail Mary
• Down and In
• Down and Out
• Post pattern: A predetermined amount of yards is run (usually 5, 10 or 15) before a 45 degree cut towards the middle of the field (ie. the posts in the endzones) is made. This allows the receiver to run in front of a person in the opposing defenses' secondary, making it harder for the defense to prevent a completion or intercept the ball. This pattern can be run a quick, short route for fast yardage or on a long, deep route for large amounts of yardage. As a result, the pattern is very versatile and can be used effectively in anything from professional football to casual touch football.
• Flag pattern: A route run where the receiver breaks towards the back corner marker of the endzone. At one time these were marked by small flags, giving the route its name.
• Slant pattern: A route run by the offensive team's receivers in which they push downfield briefly (2-4 yards) then cut towards the middle of the field at an acute angle to the line of scrimmage. Slant routes are used to beat blitzing defensive schemes that attempt to pressure the quarterback into throwing the ball quickly to avoid being sacked.
• Checkdown
• Wheel pass: This route is used to get fast backfield players such as running backs the ball downfield. It is a pass route that is shaped (when you draw it) like a big curve (like a wheel). The running back runs directly toward the playside sideline thus drawing his defender laterally, then curves up the sideline and heads for goal. This route is usually combined with the playside receiver running a post or slant designed to draw the cornerbacks and safeties (whoever has responsibility to cover the deep outside of the field) toward the middle of the field while isolating a quick, explosive player on a slower linebacker. This route is used a lot in play-action to the fullback as the receiving back's action looks like he may be blocking to the playside.
• Hook_route

Special offensive plays

• Spiking the Ball to stop the clock
  • Because an incomplete pass stops the game clock, a team's quarterback will sometimes "spike the ball" (throw it directly at the ground) in order to stop the clock without using a time out. This is most commonly done when a team is trying to score points late in the second or fourth quarter and/or when the team has run out of time outs.

• Downing a knee
  • This play is essentially the opposite as Spiking the Ball. Because the game clock does not stop after a player is tackled in bounds (except after a change of possession or an injury) a team's quarterback will sometimes kneel immediately after the ball is hiked to him in order to use up time on the clock. By using up time at the end of the game in this manner, a team can deny its opponent the opportunity to score.

Specific offensive strategies

There are several offensive strategies that have evolved over recent years, especially after the NFL outlawed most downfield contact on receivers (that is, past the 5 yard "chuck" zone, where most contact is allowed). Thus, recent strategies attempt to utilize the passing game to open up the defense, as it is less predictable and carries the possibility for greater gain.

• The "West Coast" offense was designed by Bill Walsh during his coaching days at Stanford and applied successfully to the San Francisco 49ers during the 1980's, resulting in three Super Bowl wins. The West Coast Offense is characterized by short high-percentage-completion passes such as screens, flares, and quick slants. It depends on an accurate, quick-thinking quarterback and excellent timing between him and his receivers. Teams that utilize this offense in the NFL typically have coaches that were Bill Walsh (or Mike Holmgren) disciples. The Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions and the Philadelphia Eagles use the West Coast offense.

• The "Run and Gun" offense relies heavily on the deep or "vertical" passing game. It features a quarterback with an excellent arm and a bevy of fast wide receivers that can stretch the defensive alignment vertically. This offensive scheme also demands excellent pass blocking from its offensive lineman. Although running the football is still somewhat common, unlike in other schemes the "pass sets up the run." Run and gun offenses use halfback draws and halfback delays to keep the defense from pass rushing and keeping 5 or 6 defensive backs in the game every down. Teams that use this offense are the Indianapolis Colts and the St. Louis Rams.

• The "Power Football" (colloquially, "Smashmouth Football") offense is a traditional scheme referred to as "three yard and a cloud of dust." It depends heavily on large, powerful running backs running straight ahead and gaining yards after contact (YAC). This offense uses "the run to set up the pass" via play-action. This offense is very patient and is most effective when matched with a dominating defense that keeps the opponent from scoring. Power Football allows the team to control the ball for longer periods of time, denying the opposing offense time with the ball. Few teams use this offense; only the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers are true Power Football teams.

Defensive strategy

The general goal of defensive strategy is to prevent the offensive opponent from scoring, and to either gain control for their offense or to score themselves. There are many different defensive strategies.

For a discussion of the basic elements of defensive strategy, see American football defensive schemes.

3-4

The 3-4 defense declined in popularity over the years, but has found renewed use by modern professional and college football teams. The 3-4 defense is so named because it involves 3 down linemen and 4 linebackers. There are usually 4 defensive backs.

The 3 down linemen attempt to break into the backfield in order to sack or rush the quarterback or to stop running backs and other players behind the line of scrimmage. The defensive line is made up of a nose tackle (NT), who lines up in front of the opposing team's center and two defensive ends (DEs), who flank the nose tackle on both sides. Linemen in 3-4 schemes tend to be more massive than their 4-3 counterparts to take up more space and guard more territory along the defensive front.

4 linebackers line up behind the defensive line. In a 3-4 defense, the linebacker unit is made up of two middle or inside linebackers (MLBs/ILBs), who are flanked on both sides by outside linebackers (OLBs).

The strength of the 3-4 is its ability by its design to confuse the quarterback during passing plays. Most teams generate a pass rush by sending at least 4 defensive men at the quarterback. In a standard 4-3 alignment, these 4 rushers are usually the 4 down linemen. But in a 3-4, the fourth rusher is a linebacker. Since there are 4 linebackers, the fourth potential rusher can come from a variety of spots on the field, thus influencing and sometimes confusing the quarterback's pre-snap defensive read.

A drawback of the 3-4 is that without a fourth lineman to take on the offensive blockers and close the running lane, both the defensive linemen and the linebackers can be overwhelmed by blocking schemes in the running game. 3-4 linebackers must be very athletic and strong enough to shed blocks by fullbacks, tight ends, and offensive linemen to get to the running back.

4-3

The 4-3 defense is probably the most commonly used defense in modern American Football. The 4-3 defense is so named because it involves 4 down linemen and 3 linebackers. There are usually also 4 defensive backs.

The defensive line is made up of two defensive tackles (DTs) and two defensive ends (DEs). The two defensive tackles line up in the middle of the line, in front of the opposing team's center. The two defensive ends flank the defensive tackles. DEs in 4-3 schemes are usually smaller and quicker than their 3-4 counterparts since the fourth lineman provides additional leverage to close running lanes. These smaller DEs allow defenses to collapse the quarterback pocket quickly, at worst disturbing his timing and at best causing a fumble, sack, or interception.

3 linebackers line up behind the defensive line. In a 4-3 defense, the linebacker unit is made up of a middle or inside linebacker (MLB/ILB) code-named Mike, who is flanked by the weakside (Will) and strongside (Sam) linebackers.

The 4-3 is widely used because of its balance in stopping both runs and passes as well as being personnel-friendly since smaller players can be used effectively along the defensive line.

Nickel

The nickel defense is employed in obvious passing situations, or against a team that frequently uses four-wide receiver sets on offense. The defense has 5 defensive backs, and has either 4 down linemen and 2 linebackers or 3 down linemen and 3 linebackers.

In most defenses, the secondary consists of two cornerbacks (CBs), a free safety (FS) and a strong safety (SS). The nickel defense adds an extra defensive back, known as the "nickel back" (NB), in order to defend against the pass. A nickel back is also employed in the "dime" defense (see below) and are usually free or strong safeties, although cornerbacks can be utilized as well. The term "nickel" comes from the five-cent value of a United States nickel, in reference to the fifth defensive back.

Dime

The dime defense is usually employed in obvious passing situations. The formation usually consists of 6 defensive backs, and has either 4 down linemen and 1 linebacker, or 3 down linemen and 2 linebackers.

A dime defense differs from the nickel in that it adds yet another defensive back to the secondary. The sixth defensive back is called a "dime back" (DB). The defense gets its name because a dime is two nickels.

Quarter

The Quarter defense has 3 down linemen, one linebacker, and 7 defensive backs. This is usually only used in a third-and-very-long situation (because the defense can afford to allow a short gain), to prevent a long score on the last play of a half, or when the defense believes that the offense will definitely pass (for example if the offense goes into the huddle without anyone competent to carry the ball). This gets its name because the defensive backs divide the field into four vertical quarters for zone coverage.

Half-dollar defenses, with eight defensive backs, are very rare, often to prevent a Hail Mary.

Eight in the box

The defensive linemen and linebackers collectively - or, more properly, the area of the field where they typically line up - are often referred to as "the box" and thus normally number seven players; on occasion, however, circumstances call for an additional man to be placed therein (generally a linebacker if the team uses the 4-3 as its base alignment, or a defensive lineman in cases where the 3-4 is ordinarily utilized), whereupon one player in the secondary (most commonly the free safety) is removed from the lineup. Sometimes a player in the secondary (usually the strong safety) acts as an additional linebacker and no actual lineup change ensues. Some teams use a defensive system in which one of the players is cross between a linebacker and a strong safety and is called a "rover".

Teams most often put "eight in the box" or "stack the box" when the opposing team has a strong running game. By having more players closer to the line of scrimmage the defense can more effectively contain the opposing team's running game.

46/Bear

A variation of "8 in the box" in the NFL is called the 46 or "Bear" defense. It is designed to put pressure on the QB by lining up the defense with 3 defensive linemen covering the center & guards, and the 4th defensive linemen ligned up either "wide" outside the TE or wide off the weak-side Tackle. The linebackers & strong safety are lined up behind the defensive line to put pressure on the QB as well.

Coverage Shells

Cover 2

"Cover" refers to the "shell" that the defense rolls into after the snap of the ball, more specifically the number of defenders guarding the deep portion of the field. In traditional Cover 2 schemes the free safety (FS) and strong safety (SS) have deep responsibilities, each guarding half of the field.

Cover 2 can be ran from any number of defensive fronts such as the 46, the 3-4, and the 4-3. Various "underneath" coverage played by cornerbacks and linebackers may also be implemented. For example, Cover 2 Man means 2 safeties have deep responsibility while the cornerbacks and linebackers follow their offensive assignment in one-on-one coverage. Cover 2 can also be paired with underneath zone schemes: Cover 2 Zone refers to 2 safeties with deep responsibility but now the CBs and LBs drop back into specific coverage zones where they defend passes ONLY in their assigned area.

Teams that play Cover 2 shells usually ascribe to the "bend-but-don't-break" philosophy, preferring to keep offensive players in front of them for short gains while limiting long passes. This is in stark contrast to a more aggressive Cover 1 type scheme which leaves the offensive team's wide receivers in single man-to-man coverage with only one deep helper. By spliting the deep field between two defenders, the defensive can drastically reduce the number of long gains.

The main weakness of the Cover 2 shell occurs in the middle of the field between the safeties. The safeties attempt to gain width upon the snap of the ball to cover any long passes to quick wide receivers down the sideline. This movement creates a natural hole between the safeties that can be attacked. By sending a receiver (usually a tight end) into the hole, the offense forces the safety to make a decision: play the vulnerable hole in the middle of the field or help out on the wide receiver. The quarterback reads the safety's decision and decides on the best matchup (which mismatch is better--TE vs S or WR vs CB).

The premier example of the Cover 2 defense was the 2002 Superbowl XXXVII Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In Superbowl XXXVII, Tampa Bay, ranked the #1 defense in the league, defeated the #1 ranked offense in the league, the Oakland Raiders, 48-21. Oakland quarterback Rich Gannon was sacked 5 times, threw 5 interceptions (3 interceptions were returned for touchdowns), and for the most part, was ineffective against the Cover 2 defense of the Buccaneers. Oakland was equally ineffective running the ball against Tampa Bay as well though problems with Oakland's line may have contributed to the loss.

Cover 1

"Cover" refers to the "shell" that the defense rolls into after the snap of the ball, more specifically the number of defenders guarding the deep portion of the field. Cover 1 schemes employ only one deep defender, usually a safety. Many underneath coverages paired with Cover 1 shells are strictly man-to-man with LBs and defensive backs each assigned a different offensive player to cover. By using only one deep defender in Cover 1, the other deep defender is free to blitz the quarterback or provide man-to-man pass coverage help.

Cover 1 schemes are usually very aggressive, preferring to proactively disrupt the offense by giving the quarterback little time to make a decision while collapsing the pocket quickly. This is the main advantage of Cover 1 schemes--the ability to blitz from various pre-snap formations while engaging in complex man-to-man coverage schemes post-snap. For example, a safety may blitz while a CB is locked in man coverage with a WR. Or the CB may blitz with the safety rotating into man coverage on the WR post-snap.

The main weakness of Cover 1 schemes is the lone deep defender that must cover a large amount of field and provide help on any deep threats. Offenses can attack Cover 1 schemes with a vertical stretch by sending two receivers on deep routes, provided that the quarterback has enough time to for his receivers to get open. The deep defender must decide which receiver to help out on, leaving the other in man coverage which may be a mismatch.

A secondary weakness is by its design: the use of man coverage opens up yards after catch lanes. Man coverage is attacked by offenses in various ways that try to isolate their best athletes on defenders by passing them the ball quickly before the defender can react or designing plays that clear defenders from certain areas thus opening yards after catch lanes.

Cover 3

Cover 3 refers to 3 deep defenders each guarding one-third of the deep zone. Cover 3 schemes are usually used to defend against passes, mainly those towards the deep middle of the field. Unlike Cover 2 schemes that create a natually hole between safeties, Cover 3's extra deep defender is able to parole the middle area effectively.

The most basic Cover 3 scheme involves 2 CBs and a safety. Upon snap, the CBs work for depth, backpeddling into their assigned zone. One safety moves toward the center of the field. The other safety is free to rotate into the flat area (about 2-4 yards beyond the line of scrimmage), provide pass coverage help, or blitz.

As with other coverage shells, Cover 3 is paired with underneath man or zone coverage in its most basic form.

The main weakness of Cover 3 shells is the 2 retreating CBs. Since the CBs are working for depth, short pass routes underneath the CB can isolate him on a wide receiver near the sideline with little help.

Cover 4

Cover 4 refers to 4 deep defenders each guarding one-fourth of the deep zone. Cover 4 schemes are usually used to defend against deep passes.

The most basic Cover 4scheme involves 2 CBs and 2 safeties. Upon snap, the CBs work for depth, backpeddling into their assigned zone. Both safeties backpeddle towards their assigned zone.

As with other coverage shells, Cover 4 is paired with underneath man or zone coverage in its most basic form.

The main weakness of Cover 4shells is the retreating defensive backs. Since the DBs are working for depth, short pass routes underneath can isolate them on a wide receiver near the sideline with little help.

Cover 0

Cover 0 refers to pure man coverage with no deep defender. Similar to Cover 1, Cover 0 has the same strengths and weaknesses.

Special teams strategy

General topics

• Field position
• Touchbacks

Kicking team topics

• Downing the ball inside the 20
• Fake punts
• Kick-offs out-of-bounds
• Onside kick
• Preventing a run-back / "Bloopers" on kick-off
• Punts out-of-bounds
• Squib kicks

Receiving team topics

• Blocking punts
• Deciding whether to "take it out"
• Fair catch
• Roughing the kicker

External links

• American Football Coaches Association Assocation of American Football coaches. Most of the major coaches, especially at the college level, belong to this organization.
• CoachSchorr.com A free resource of information, including diagrammed and annotated plays and articles, about coaching American football.
• NFL The official website of the National Football League - the primary professional American football league.