I don't have a great football mind, but I was thinking. When in the Wildcat formation doesn't the QB usually line up as a wide out. Why don't he lineup behind the running back which would offer the chance for a lateral to him and then a forward pass, thus negating the defenses ability to just play the run. I know that a lateral and forward pass is an unlikely thing to happen but when the QB lines up as a wide out then they are playing 10 on 11 because we will never pass to the QB, Just a random thought from a non football mind. At least with the QB lined up in the backfield we will be playing 11 on 11. THOUGHTS?
A thought about the Wildcat
- Thread starter greginky1957
- Start date
When he lines up at wide out he draws a corner to the outside. It's actually 10 v 10 at that point.
What you could do is bring the QB as the motion man and have him cross in front of the RB just after the ball gets there. The RB could then kind of read the play and decide to keep the ball or give to the QB. QB could then kind of do a roll out pass or could keep it for a jet sweep. I wouldn't do this regularly, but if you show it once or twice then the defense likely cannot bite solely on the run and they have to respect a possible pass by the rolling quarterback. Of course, you also have to have a QB who is accurate rolling out and throwing and you have to make sure that RB does not toss the ball forward but in fact hands it to the QB. It is a bit of a risky play because the RB is not used to handing it off and the QB not used to receiving a hand off.
If the QB crosses in front of the running back and the RB hands the ball forward that is a forward pass,(or forward hand off)the QB can't throw it downfield again.
Not sure about the exact rule, but we have handed it off (forward) to the man in motion and done throwbacks from that set quite often.
2:15 mark here
The play early in the tape (that involves a hand off and a throw down field )shows the RB handing the ball backward before the pass
Sure would be nice if we could add another wrinkle or two to the Wildcat to keep the defenses guessing a bit more.
If it is pitched forward to the QB and he drops it, it is only an incomplete forward pass. If he attempts to hand off and the ball is dropped it is a fumble.
If ball leaves the RB's hands it's a forward pass and QB wouldn't be allowed to then execute a forward pass.
If ball is HANDED OFF, however, even if forward, it is not considered a first forward pass and could be passed downfield.
I always wanted to see a variation of the Wildcat with two RB in a split shotgun.
Could snap to either one and either have one lead block for the other
Snap to one and cross them with read option for deception
Or snap to one and run regular outside option.
Still have QB wide coming reverse on every set for occasional pitch back just to keep the safety still
.......always worked in old electric football!
Could snap to either one and either have one lead block for the other
Snap to one and cross them with read option for deception
Or snap to one and run regular outside option.
Still have QB wide coming reverse on every set for occasional pitch back just to keep the safety still
.......always worked in old electric football!
Increases the odds for a fumble/disaster if you are asking your center to alter his snap just for one weird formation.
Yep and so it being a hand off is why the two players would have to be careful and execute it properly so they don't fumble.
Coach Gran has already used Steve Johnson as a passer while lined up as a receiver in the wildcat and given the ball on a reverse. We got a big play out of that wrinkle earlier in the year. Like someone else said, when they line Johnson up as a wideout in the wildcat, it's 10 on 10. That's what they want. If they kept Johnson in the backfield, then it's 10 against 11. The wildcat is supposed to be a counter-motion running scheme. They will rarely use other wrinkles, but it's a running formation. If they want to pass the football, the wildcat isn't the best way to do that.