Wildcat Formation Playbook

Miami Dolphins Wildcat, Ole Miss Wild Rebel & Arkansas Wild Hog Youth Football Playbook •121 Total Play Options •22 Base Plays •4 Formations

footballplaybooks.info

1

Copyright 2010, Mega Media Depot All rights reserved. reserved. Published by Mega Media Depot P.O. Box 945 Prospect Heights, Il 60070 Manufactured in the United States of America For other over 400 FREE articles & more play books, please visit: www.footballplaybooks.info

SHARING & COPING RULES & LIMITATIONS footballplaybooks.info footballplaybooks.info , Mega Media Media Depot & all affiliates allow allow you the PURCHASER to use, make copies and distribute this file and the plays included in this file subject to the following: 1. You may share this with your fellow coaches, but Mega Media Depot reserves ALL rights to this material. 2. You may NOT RE-SELL any part of this material including the plays or any of the text including definitions & descriptions. 3. You may NOT “include” “include” or distribute this book book with any product that is being sold, or given away. 4. You may NOT show, post or distribute any of this material anywhere online or the web including, but not limited to any website, BLOG, newsletter, etc. without getting written approval from Mega Media Depot.


2

Copyright 2010, Mega Media Depot All rights reserved. reserved. Published by Mega Media Depot P.O. Box 945 Prospect Heights, Il 60070 Manufactured in the United States of America For other over 400 FREE articles & more play books, please visit: www.footballplaybooks.info

SHARING & COPING RULES & LIMITATIONS footballplaybooks.info footballplaybooks.info , Mega Media Media Depot & all affiliates allow allow you the PURCHASER to use, make copies and distribute this file and the plays included in this file subject to the following: 1. You may share this with your fellow coaches, but Mega Media Depot reserves ALL rights to this material. 2. You may NOT RE-SELL any part of this material including the plays or any of the text including definitions & descriptions. 3. You may NOT “include” “include” or distribute this book book with any product that is being sold, or given away. 4. You may NOT show, post or distribute any of this material anywhere online or the web including, but not limited to any website, BLOG, newsletter, etc. without getting written approval from Mega Media Depot.


2

Table of Contents Cover Page

1

Plays

Copyright & Sharing

2

Wildcat

Table of Contents

3

Formations Wildcat

4

Wildcat Twins

5

Wild Rebel

6

Wild Hog

7

Play Action

17

Seam Pass

18

Slant Pass

19

Sweep

20

Dive

21 Wildcat Twins

Terminology & Schemes

Dive

22

ISO

23

Sweep

24

Counter

25

Reverse

26

History

8

Drag Pass

27

Modified for Youth

9

Post Pass

28

Terminology

10

Slot Pass

29

Blocking Schemes

Wild Rebel

Split Zone

30

Counter

31

Man Blocking

11

Speed Sweep

32

Lead Blocking

12

QB Special

33

Double Team

13

Trap Blocking

14

Seam Post

34

Wall Blocking

15

Zone Blocking

16

Power Counter

35 36

Stealer

37

Statue

38

Wild Hog


3

Base Wildcat Player Position Definitions Player Assignments

Wildcat Formation

LR

TL

LT

LG

C

RG

RT

TR

•

LR – Left Receiver

•

TL – Tight End Left

•

LT – Left Tackle

•

LG – Left Guard

•

C – Center

•

RG – Right Guard

•

RT – Right Tackle

•

TR – Tight End Right

•

RR – Right Receiver

•

SL – Slot Back

•

QB – Quarterback

RR

Special Notes

SL

QB

•

Formation Strength based on which side Slot Back is lined up

•

Optional Receiver is defined by a Check down or Secondary receiver

•

Total Plays number of total play options considering all holes or receivers and running the plays both left and right


4

Wildcat Twins Player Position Definitions Player Assignments

Wildcat Twins Formation

LT

LG

C

RG

RT

TR SI

RR

•

LT – Left Tackle

•

LG – Left Guard

•

C – Center

•

RG – Right Guard

•

RT – Right Tackle

•


•

SI – Slot Inside

•

SO – Slot Outside

•


•

SL – Slot Back

•

QB – Quarterback

SO

Special Notes

SL

QB

•

Formation Strength based on which side the Inside & Outside Slots are on

•


•



5

Wild Rebel Player Position Definitions Player Assignments

Wild Rebel Formation

LT

LG

C

RG

RT

TR

RR

•

LT – Left Tackle

•

LG – Left Guard

•

C – Center

•

RG – Right Guard

•

RT – Right Tackle

•


•

SI – Slot Inside

•

SO – Slot Outside

•


•

SL – Slot Back

•

QB –Quarterback

SO

Special Notes

SL

QB

SI

•

Formation Strength based on which side the Outside Slot lines up on. This formation uses a 3 man unbalanced line

•


•



6

Wild Hog Player Position Definitions Player Assignments

Wild Hog Formation

LT

LG

C

RG

RT

TR

SI

RR

•

LT – Left Tackle

•

LG – Left Guard

•

C – Center

•

RG – Right Guard

•

RT – Right Tackle

•


•

SI – Slot Inside

•

SO – Slot Outside

•


•

SL – Slot Back

•

QB – Quarterback

SO

Special Notes

SL

QB

•

Formation Strength based on which side the Outside Slot lines up on. This formation uses a 4 man unbalanced line

•


•



7

Wildcat Schemes History of the Wildcat The Wildcat made it’s professional football debut when the Miami Dolphins surprised the New England Patriots with this single wing formation. Truth be told the “Wild” formation was already being run in the college level with much success. The Wild Hog: David Lee was the offensive coordinator at Arkansas and installed the “Wild Hog” version of the single wing using McFadden and Jones. The talent of these two players shined in this new formation. The Wild Rebel: Head coach Houston Nutt left Arkansas for Ole Miss after the 2007 where he and his son Danny Nutt installed the new “Wild Rebel” formation HOW IT WORKS: The “Wild” Formation over loads one side of the formation making it a nightmare to defend with a balanced defensive set. Each play starts out the same, making it extremely deceptive for the defense to know who has the ball.


8

Wildcat Modified for Youth Football Wildcat Tweaked

The Wildcat Offense is far too complicated for the youth level of football, due to the timing factors, but we have tweaked our version keeping the spirit of the Wildcat alive while making the plays adaptable for the youth players. The amount of practice time will be substantial so please be prepared if you plan to implement any part of this offense. Making it Basic:

The Wildcat youth version will have many more set plays and fewer option reads for the offense. We will continue to run the Dive and Sweep plays until the defense adjusts to our unbalanced set. If the defense never adjusts, keep running what is working. The Pulling Guard:

At the older levels this player is the game changer. By pulling him on passing plays the defense never knows if the play is a run or a pass. You need to be careful at the younger age levels since many defenses will never adjust to the unbalanced line and you cannot afford to pull the guard on any plays. You need to have a scouting report of your upcoming opponent and make the proper adjustments Age Appropriate:

The Wildcat youth version is for the older kids. We only suggest using this with experienced players 10-14 years old. Make sure you have the right talent or you will be doomed before you start. Be very careful with 10 year-old players since they should have at least 2 prior years of tackle experience before I would even consider running any part of this offense.


9

Wildcat Terminology for Youth Football Wildcat Play calling We will keep it simple for our coaches and players. We call the plays to make sure we are lining up correctly. We will call one of the four formations, followed by the word Left or right to determine formation strength, followed by the play name and lastly the location of the running play, if the play is a running play. Players are now Holes: The Wildcat youth version will use the names of the lineman as holes for the backs to follow. Using the diagram below, I like to call out the name of the lineman in place of the number. It makes the lineman feel pride, and pressure to make his block. Plays: We will call out the name of the player and us the basic numbering system for the holes. I number each lineman as a hole, so in the case of the Wildcat we will use Imaginary lineman if one is not lined up there. We use the double tight end formation to number the holes. Please reference the diagram below. An example call to run the dive play over the 4 hole would be Wildcat, Left, Dive, Swanson (Where Swanson is our RG in the 4 Hole).

9

7

5

3

0

2

4


6

8

10

Blocking Schemes

Man Blocking •

If you are new to youth football, let me start by telling you that one-on-one or man-on-man blocking is next to impossible. The younger the players are the more impossible it is. Therefore, you may ask when looking at the player assignments in this book how I can have Man Block Head Up as the main blocking scheme.

•

I believe that you must keep it as simple as possible. Most coaches are going to be “hiding” players on the offensive line. These players should listen great and give you their best effort; they may not be able to remember complicated blocking assignments. These players may get confused if give them more than one assignment. What I am getting at is the younger the kids the more basic you need to keep it.

•

In youth football, most players will never be able to drive or push block the defender alone. The chance of the entire offensive line being able to all block effectively together is slim. The one thing you can count on is if you tell your players to block whom he sees in front of him. The linemen need to keep his helmet between the defender and the hole we are running at.

•

Youth blocking is running interference as much as anything else. You need to keep the defenders away just long enough for your backs to hit the hole.

•

If you did your job as a coach, you will have scouted the upcoming opponent and you will know the defensive front they run, if they blitz, and whom the studs are.

•

The beauty of the Wildcat is that you have a numbers advantage on every play. You always have more blockers than they have defenders.

•

The one thing you cannot afford is a defender shooting straight in the backfield because your lineman thought he was following some Gap on Man rule. Make sure all offensive linemen block the defender over them.

•

The only other rule for our Man-Head up blocking is if no defender is across from you, help double team with your teammate. You will always help the teammate that is closest to the center. This is referred to blocking to the inside.

•

To summarize, all linemen when told to Man Block Head Up will block the defender lined up over him. If no one is lined up over him, they will help double team the opponent that is closest to our center.


11

Blocking Schemes Lead Block to Hole or Down Field •

This block is specific to the backfield positions. Again, I like to keep things simple. In my system, I change the hole based on the defense that is being run. I will change the “hole” I run the power play to based on our scouting report.

•

I have found the easiest way to designate the “hole” is to call out the name of the offensive lineman you are running over. There are many benefits to doing this. First, it wakes up that lineman. He hears his name and he knows he better do his job. It becomes a thing of pride within the lineman.

•

It eliminates any confusion on where to run. Tell the backs, “look at the back of his jersey and run over him”. Tell the lineman they need to move, and if they do not, expect to feel the pain as a back runs them over. You will be amazed how aggressive and quick the linemen move since they do not like being crunched by their own player.

•

Tell the Lead Block to go to the Hole, which is, simply go as fast as you can and CLEAR A HOLE. The backs are told to hit anything in their path and make an opening for the back to run through. Usually it takes only one crack in the back from a running back, and the linemen understand how fast they need to move.

•

When the backs assignment is to lead block around the end or downfield, the backs simply hit the first opponent they see. Tell them to hit the first unfriendly colored jersey they see. It can be a defensive lineman we missed, a blitzing linebacker or a defender in the secondary. Just make sure they do not run by any defenders.


12

Blocking Schemes

Double Team Blocking •

My personal favorite is the double team block at the line of scrimmage, doubleteaming to the hole we are running toward. The best is when you can have two linemen initiate the double team, then bring one or two lead backs followed by the running back.

•

Now you are running with some power!

•

Teaching the double team takes a little practice but is well worth the time spent on it.

•

We will only double team to the hole we are running to. We know which opponent to double team based on our scouting report. We can also determine where we need to help against blitzes or uncovered lineman from the scouting report.


13

Blocking Schemes Trap Block •

I strongly disagree with many youth coaches this area. I believe there is no benefit in trying to pull an offensive lineman, at the younger levels. If you want proof, go to You Tube and watch some of the footage from YOUTH coached Single Wing teams. I have yet to see a lineman be able to pull and out run a back to the hole. I believe you need to take care of the initial threat, which is the defensive line primarily.

•

I do believe you can get wonderful trap blocks with older players. This is one of the greatest strengths of the Wildcat. You have an extra lineman throughout the entire series and quick trap blocks can be devastating.

•

The traditional trap block is executed by having one of your linemen letting the defender come unblocked. You then instruct separate linemen to “pull” and block him from an angle he does not see the block coming from.

•

I disagree when coaches tell two of the youth offensive lineman to leave players unblocked. I have had success pulling lineman once they get older. I would only consider it with player ages 12 and above and only with a very talented team.


14

Blocking Schemes Wall Block •

I have used this type of blocking for over 20 years. It is the primary blocking scheme used on pass plays.

•

Wall Blocking is different from Wedge blocking in two ways. In Wall blocking, you need to step towards your teammate closest to the Center. There is no step forward together like the Wedge. The second difference is you do not move as a unit downfield.

•

As its name implies, the players form a wall. Each player should seal the man to the inside and allow for no inside pressure.

•

This is youth football, so we do not “Pocket Protect” for the passing game. Passing is only with our QB on the move. The line needs to hold off the defense long enough for us to get the snap off and for the passer to begin sprinting in the direction in which he is about to throw. Forget about throwback passes, they take too long and require a much stronger arm than your youth QB will have.

•

Wall Blocking will probably be the easiest to teach, but make sure all players understand the importance of not letting any penetration through the wall.


15

Blocking Schemes Zone Block •

I have used this type of blocking for over 20 years. It is the primary blocking scheme used on running or pass plays.

•

As its name implies, the players block to an area. Each player should seal the man to the inside and allow for no inside pressure.

•

Zone Blocking for the running game is like wall blocking. You need to teach which Zone (direction) to send the entire line in. The biggest difference is you can pull and trap players as long as each player knows his blocking assignment. You need to use a back, slot or another linemen to cover the zone for any pulling, or trapping, linemen.

•

Zone Blocking will probably be the easiest to teach, but make sure all players understand the importance of not letting any penetration. You can get creative, or keep it simple, which makes Zone Blocking a favorite when coaching youth football.


16

Play Action Pass Player Position Definitions Player Assignments

Wildcat Formation

LR

TL

LT

LG

C

RG

RT

TR

•

LR – Fly Route – Clear Zone

•

TL – Fake Block, Flag Pattern

•

LT – Wall Block

•

LG – Trap Block - PLOY

•

C – Long Snap& Wall Block

•

RG – Wall Block

•

RT - Wall Block

•

TR - Wall Block

•

RR – Fly Route

•

SL – Motion, Fake Sweep

•

QB – Fake Handoff, Fake Dive Right, Roll out Left and Pass to TL

RR SL

QB

Calling the Play

•

Formation – Wildcat

•

Play name – Play Action Pass Optional Receivers.

•

LR Total Play Options.

•


4

17

Seam Pass Player Position Definitions Player Assignments

Wildcat Formation

LR

TL

LT

LG

C

RG

RT

TR

•

LR – Fly Route – Clear Zone

•

TL – Wall Block

•

LT – Wall Block

•


•


•

RG – Wall Block

•

RT - Wall Block

•

TR - Post Seam Route

•

RR – Fly Route

•


•

QB – Fake Handoff, Fake Dive Right, Drop Back and Pass to TR

RR SL

QB

Calling the Play

•


•

Play name – Seam Pass Optional Receivers.

•

RR, SL Total Play Options.

•


6

18

Slant Pass Player Position Definitions Player Assignments

Wildcat Formation

LR

TL

LT

LG

C

RG

RT

TR

•

LR – Deep Slant

•

TL – Wall Block

•

LT – Wall Block

•


•


•

RG – Wall Block

•

RT - Wall Block

•

TR – Wall Block

•

RR – Fly Route

•


•

QB – Fake Handoff, Fake Dive Right, Drop Back and Pass to LR

RR SL

QB

Calling the Play

•


•

Play name – Slant Pass Optional Receivers.

•

none Total Play Options.

•


2

19

Sweep Player Position Definitions Player Assignments

Wildcat Formation

LR

TL

LT

LG

C

RG

RT

TR

•

LR – Fly Route

•

TL – Zone Block

•

LT – Zone Block

•

LG – Trap Block

•

C – Long Snap& Zone Block

•

RG – Zone Block

•

RT - Zone Block

•

TR - Zone Block

•

RR – Fly Route

•

SL – Motion, Run Sweep

•

QB –Handoff, Fake Dive

RR

Calling the Play

SL

QB

•


•

Play name – Sweep Optional Holes.

•

None Total Play Options.

•


2

20

Dive Player Position Definitions Player Assignments

Wildcat Formation

LR

TL

LT

LG

C

RG

RT

TR RR

•

LR – Fly Route

•

TL – Zone Block

•

LT – Zone Block

• •

LG – Trap Block Between RG & RT C – Long Snap& Zone Block

•

RG – Zone Block

•

RT - Zone Block

•

TR - Zone Block

•

RR – Fly Route

•


•

QB – Fake Handoff, Dive

SL

Calling the Play QB

•


•

Play name – Dive Optional Holes.

•

0,2,4,6,8 Total Play Options.

•


10

21

Dive Player Position Definitions Player Assignments


LT

LG

C

RG

RT

TR SI

RR SO

•

LT – Zone Block

•

LG – Trap Block Between RG & RT

•


• •

RG – Zone Block RT - Zone Block

•

TR - Zone Block

•

SI – Zone Block

•

SO – Down Field Block

•

RR – Down Field Block

•


•

QB – Fake Handoff, Dive

SL

Calling the Play QB

•

Formation – Wildcat Twins

•

Play name – Dive Optional Holes.

•


•


10

22

ISO Player Position Definitions Player Assignments


LT

LG

C

RG

RT

TR SI

RR SO

•

LT – Zone Block

•

LG – Trap Block Between RG & RT

•


• •

RG – Zone Block RT - Zone Block

•

TR - Zone Block

•

SI – Zone Block

•


•


•


•

QB – Fake Handoff, ISO

SL

Calling the Play QB

•


•

Play name – ISO Optional Holes.

•

0,2,1 Total Play Options.

•


3

23

Sweep Player Position Definitions Player Assignments


LT

LG

C

RG

RT

TR SI

RR

•

LT – Zone Block

•

LG – Trap Block Outside

•


•

RG – Zone Block

•

RT - Zone Block

•

TR - Zone Block

•

SI – Zone Block

•


•


•


•

QB – Fake Handoff, Fake Dive

SO

SL

Calling the Play QB

•


•

Play name – Sweep Optional Holes.

•


•


2

24

Counter Player Position Definitions Player Assignments


LT

LG

C

RG

RT

TR SI

RR

•

LT – Zone Block

•


•


•

RG – Zone Block

•

RT - Zone Block

•

TR - Zone Block

•

SI – Zone Block

•


•


•


•

QB – Fake Handoff, Run Counter

SO

SL

Calling the Play QB

•


•

Play name – Counter Optional Holes.

•

1,3,5,7 Total Play Options.

•


8

25

Reverse Player Position Definitions Player Assignments


LT

LG

C

RG

RT

TR SI

SL

QB

RR SO

•

LT – Zone Block

•


•


•

RG – Zone Block

•

RT - Zone Block

•

TR - Zone Block

•

SI – Delay, Get Handoff from SL, Run Reverse Left

•


•


•

SL – Motion, Take Hand Off, Fake Sweep, Hand off to SI

•

QB –Handoff, Fake Dive Calling the Play

•


•

Play name – Reverse Optional Holes.

•


•


2

26

Drag Pass Player Position Definitions Player Assignments


LT

LG

C

RG

RT

TR SI

RR

•

LT – Wall Block

•

LG – Trap Block Inside

•


•

RG – Wall Block

•

RT - Wall Block

•

TR - Wall Block

•

SI – Delay, Run 3 Yard Drag Route

•

SO – 10 Yard Drag Route

•

RR – Fly Route

•

SL – Motion, Fake Hand Off, QB –Fake Handoff, Fake Dive, Roll Left, Throw Drag, SO Primary

SO

SL

Calling the Play QB

•


•

Play name – Drag Pass Optional Receivers.

•

SI Total Play Options.

•


4

27

Post Pass Player Position Definitions Player Assignments


LT

LG

C

RG

RT

TR SI

RR

•

LT – Wall Block

•


•


•

RG – Wall Block

•

RT - Wall Block

•

TR - Wall Block

•

SI – Wall Block

•

SO – 10 Yard Post Route

•

RR – Fly Route

•


•

QB –Fake Handoff, Fake Dive, Drop Back, Throw Post,

SO

SL

Calling the Play QB

•


•

Play name – Post Pass Optional Receivers.

•

RR, SL Total Play Options.

•


6

28

Slot Pass Player Position Definitions Player Assignments


LT

LG

C

RG

RT

TR SI

SL

RR

•

LT – Wall Block

•


•


•

RG – Wall Block

•

RT - Wall Block

•

TR - Wall Block

•

SI – Wall Block, Delay Sideline Route as Check down Receiver

•

SO – 10 Yard Post Route

•

RR – Sideline Route

•

SL – Motion, Run Sweep, Pass to RR

•

QB –Handoff, Fake Counter,

SO

QB

Calling the Play

• •

Formation – Wildcat Twins Play name – Slot Pass Optional Receivers.

•

SO, SI Total Play Options.

•


6

29

Split Zone Player Position Definitions Player Assignments


LT

LG

C

RG

RT

TR

RR

•

LT – Zone Block

•


•


•

RG – Zone Block

•

RT - Zone Block

•

TR - Zone Block

•

SI – Fake Counter

•


•

RR – Fly Route

•


•

QB –Fake Handoff, Run Zone Play

SO SL

Calling the Play QB

SI

•

Formation – Wild Rebel

•

Play name – Split Zone Optional Holes.

•


•


9

30



LT

LG

C

RG

RT

TR

RR SO

•

LT – Zone Block

•


•


•

RG – Zone Block

•

RT - Zone Block

•

TR - Zone Block

•

SI – Take Hand Off, Run Counter

•


•

RR – Fly Route

•


•

QB –Fake Handoff Sweep, Hand Off to SI, Fake Zone Play

SL

QB

SI

Calling the Play

• •

Formation – Wild Rebel Play name – Counter Optional Holes.

•


•


9

31

Speed Sweep Player Position Definitions Player Assignments


LT

LG

C

RG

RT

TR

RR

•

LT – Zone Block

•


•


•

RG – Zone Block

•

RT - Zone Block

•

TR - Zone Block

•

SI – Fake Counter

•


•

RR – Fly Route

•


•

QB –Handoff Sweep, Fake Hand Off to SI, Fake Zone Play

SO SL

QB

SI

Calling the Play

•

Formation – Wild Rebel

•


•


•


2

32

QB Special Player Position Definitions Player Assignments


LT

LG

C

RG

RT

TR

•

LT – Wall Block

•


•


•

RG – Wall Block

•

RT - Wall Block

•

TR - Wall Block

•

SI – Block Backside, Safety

•

SO – Fly Route

•

RR – Fly Route

•

SL – Motion, Take Hand Off, Run Sweep, Pass Back to QB

•

QB –Handoff Sweep, Fake Dive (1 Step), Run Deep Go Route

RR SO

SL

QB

SI

Calling the Play

• •

Formation – Wild Rebel Play name – QB Special Optional Holes.

•

SI Total Play Options.

•


4

33

Seam Post Player Position Definitions Player Assignments

Wild Hog Formation

LT

LG

C

RG

RT

TR

SI

RR

•

LT – Wall Block

•


•


•

RG – Wall Block

•

RT - Wall Block

•

TR - Wall Block

•

SI – Seam Post Route

•

SO – Fly Route

•

RR – Fly Route

•

SL – Motion, Fake Hand Off

•

QB – Fake Sweep, Fake Dive Drop Back & Throw to SI

SO SL

Calling the Play QB

•

Formation – Wild Hog

•

Play name – Seam Post Optional Receivers.

•

SO,RR,SL Total Play Options.

•


8

34

Power Player Position Definitions Player Assignments

Wild Hog Formation

LT

LG

C

RG

RT

TR

SI

RR

•

LT – Zone Block

•


•


•

RG – Zone Block

•

RT - Zone Block

•

TR - Zone Block

•

SI – Zone Block

•

SO – Block Down Field

•

RR – Block Down Field

•


•

QB – Fake Sweep, Run Power

SO SL

Calling the Play QB

•


•

Play name – Power Optional Holes.

•


•


9

35


Wild Hog Formation

LT

LG

C

RG

RT

TR

SI

RR

•

LT – Zone Block

•


•


•

RG – Zone Block

•

RT - Zone Block

•

TR - Zone Block

•

SI – Zone Block

•


•


•


•

QB – Fake Sweep, Run Counter

SO SL

Calling the Play QB

•


•


•

0,1,3,5,7,9 Total Play Options.

•


11

36

Stealer Player Position Definitions Player Assignments

Wild Hog Formation

LT

LG

C

RG

RT

TR

SI

•

LT – Zone Block

•


•


•

RG – Zone Block

•

RT - Zone Block

•

TR - Zone Block

•

SI – Zone Block

•


•


•

SL – Motion, Take Hand Off, Run Wide Sweep

•

QB – Hand off Sweep, Fake Power

RR SO

SL

QB

Calling the Play

•


•

Play name – Stealer Optional Holes.

•


•


2

37

Wildcat Formation Playbook

Recommend Documents