Single-wing formation

The single -wing formation ( Eng.: One-Wing Formation) is a formation of Offense in American Football.

Description

The single -wing formation is a football attacking formation, which basically consists of five offensive linemen (two tackles, two guards and center ), two Line supportive tight ends, a quarterback and three running backs there. It is characterized by the asymmetrical arrangement of players:

• Offensive Line: The Center (C ), although as usual by two Guards (G ) flanked, but only stands next to the left of the guard left tight end (TE ), while next to the right guard both tackles (T ) and the right Tight end ( TE) are.
• Backfield: right behind the right tight end is the ultimate running back, the so-called Wingback (WB). Left behind him stands the quarterback (QB ), which is more blockers than playmaker in this case, and therefore also blocking back is called. Links behind the quarterback is the fullback (FB ), which usually receives the snap in this formation. Links behind the fullback is the rearmost backfield player who tailback (TB). From this table it follows that the center can be used both to snap to the fullback, quarterback and tailback.

From this formation is a tooth-shaped arrangement of the player (see picture), which to a single wing ("single wing ") returns recalls.

Play

The single -wing formation favors the running game over the four running backs. By consciously right-wing division pressure on the left side of the defense is exercised. In the offensive line, the two posted right tackles can wegblocken the opposite defensive end, so that one's own ball carrier (one of the running backs or the right tight end ) can pass right. The four running backs can call each other make double or triple block, the football back and herpassen or pretend as if, so that the opponent is confused. Should the enemy strengthen his left side defense, holes are created on the other flank.

With little effort, a number can be done by running game options, so that the opponent is confused. Other advantages are the low risk of a loss of the ball in a botched snap, as three tracks are deep in the backfield, the lower ball loss rate, there is less thrown, and the pedagogical moment when involved in the single -wing offense many players when blocking and Adjust are. Disadvantage of this system is the limited throwing game, because there is no wide receiver has been scheduled, the long passes may decrease, and the role of quarterbacks ( the best pitcher of the team ) is minimized from the outset.

The single -wing formation is ideal for teams with a versatile fullback and without classic quarterback. Reason for this is that the fullback in this system, a classical " triple threat " players, which should both run good, fit and punt. A quarterback is rather unimportant in this system because it is used more as a blocker. Because the center, although usually full, but when Trickspielzug but will snap to the well to the quarterback as well as the tailback, that player must be able to very precisely to snap.

History

In the early days of American football forward passes were illegal and were hardly used. Beginning of the 20th century coached Glenn Warner, known as " Pop ", a football team by Native Americans, the Carlisle Indians. He had small, but fast and throw strong players sat Warner a running back on the wing ( " Wingback " ) and led a variety of trick moves, in which the backs threw the balls and so did the motions addition, he taught them, sometimes to punt already on the second or third down to surprise the enemy. Among them was a then 17 -year-old fullback, the future Olympic decathlon champion Jim Thorpe. Thorpe was both a good runner, thrower and a punter, a so-called " triple threat " players (German: triple weapon), which got a lot of touches of the ball in this system.

Until the 1930s, the single -wing formation was the preferred way of playing college and professional teams. When in 1933 the modern football was introduced, which was better to throw because of its rough surface, the seams and its relatively small circumference (21 inches) than the old melon -shaped, smooth and up to 28 inch circumference big football, new game systems such as the established T- formation. Today, the single -wing formation is seldom used, is still among others in the so-called " Wildcat Offense " use.