I-Formation

The I- formation is a formation of the offense in American football in which the quarterback, and there are two running backs ( Halfback and Fullback ) in a row behind the center. Looking at the I- Formation of the opponent's end zone from, these three players together look like an " I", which coined the name of this formation.

The I formation is one of the most common football formations. It basically consists of five offensive linemen (two tackles, two guards and the Center ), a quarterback and two running backs. In the simplest variation of two wide receivers at each end of the line of scrimmage are positioned and a tight end set right next to the offensive linemen -.

History

It attributes the invention of the I- formation Nugget Tom, who had developed at the Virginia Military Institute in 1954 as a replacement for the single -wing and alternative to the T- formation. 1962 won John Mc Kay's USC team the National title with a based on the I- formation offense. Tom Osbourne, Head Coach at the University of Nebraska, the formation in the early 1970s made ​​popular when he made ​​it the basis of his offense. NFL teams took over the successful I- formation, and they developed their claims in accordance with further.

Typical use

From the I- formation typically running plays are performed. In the I - Formation of Halfback starts six to eight yards behind the line of scrimmage in an upright position in which he can observe the Defense. The formation makes it easier for the halfback to identify weak points in the defense, he can exploit.

The I- formation is also suitable for passing trains, as it supports up to three wide receivers and two running backs to come out of the backfield as a receiver. The fullback is rarely used as a receiver but rather as an additional blocker for the quarterback to give this more time to pick a pass receiver. Because this formation is a great risk that the chosen play is a running play, a play -action pass can obtain a good effect. The flexible application of this formation make it even more difficult for the defense to figure out what has elected the offense for a turn.

There are many variations of this formation, which have mainly the purpose to increase the run or pass strengths of this formation. Here are the more common of these changes:

• The Big I- formation is on the weak side (the side where no TE is on the offensive line ), a Tight-End added (at the expense of a wide receiver). This is a running game variation, since you in addition to the fullback on every page now has a blocker, which frees the Halfback the way whereby you can walk in any direction.

• The Power I formation replaces a wide receiver with a third back ( full or half -back) in the backfield, which lays down next to the fullback. Also, this list is designed to run games.

• The 3 Wide Receiver I- formation replaces the tight end with an additional wide receiver. This version is designed for the passing game.

• The Maryland I- formation, also known as stack I- formation is similar to the Power I formation, only available fullback, extra running back and Halfback here after another in a row. It is almost obvious that this is a running game lineup. It was popularized by the Maryland Terrapins football team in the 1950s.

• The Tight I is similar to the Maryland I, with the difference that the positions of the additional Backs and Full Backs are reversed. From the line of scrimmage as seen from the lineup is so center, quarterback, extra -Back, Fullback, Halfback.

The I- formation can also be modified in any variant to a Strong I formation and a weak I- formation. Here, the fullback is shifted by about a yard in the direction of Strong- or in the direction of the weak- side. Although these modifications have only a slight effect on the supposed turn, the fullback but has to dodge the defenders better opportunities and to become a receiver.

Use in pro football

In the NFL the formation is less common than in college football, because here often have the fullback as a blocker replaced formations with additional Receivers and Tight Ends. If a running game chosen from one of these formations out, the tight -ends are used for blocking for the halfback. The I- formation is usually in short - yardage situations ( situations in which only a few yards to be made ) and used near the goal line.