When we line up in the "Wildcat" why do we keep the QB in the game? Wouldn't it make more sense to have stronger blocker on the edge that could occupy a defender? We've not shown we can pass from the set and I doubt we'd throw it to the QB, so why is there a solid reason why he's on the field?
Why have QB on field for the "Wildcat" formation?
- Thread starter maysvilleky
- Start date
If you run him off the field, then that signals the formation to the defense and, if they are alert, they can make defensive changes. That's the only thing I can think of.
Some teams "audible into" the wildcat and the QB moves from behind center to another position (slot back) to keep the expected D players on the field, create some confusion, etc.
megablue is correct. Keeping the QB on the field minimizes the opportunity for the defense to adjust to the Wildcat "threat". This is fine for a surprise play or 2, especially if the QB is not a run threat. Some teams will try to either run the clock or use a Wildcat back in RZ situations and in such cases the QB usually does check out in favor of another blocker.
Peace
Peace
Depending on when you do it it could be for a couple of reasons. One might be because the opposing team has 5 defensive backs in the game and you want to run at 5 defensive backs. If the QB runs off they will likely bring in another linebacker or lineman and then that will negate the blocking advantage to a degree. You also could add some trick play to this by bringing the quarterback into motion and handing it off to him. Then he can have a run or pass option. We haven't used it or done it, but it is possible.
Personally, I am not a huge fan of the wildcat. I think it is fine if on occasion you throw out of it, but I don't see much sense in it when the entire defense knows you're going to run.
Personally, I am not a huge fan of the wildcat. I think it is fine if on occasion you throw out of it, but I don't see much sense in it when the entire defense knows you're going to run.
I agree. Hope UK moves past the wildcat to the more traditional handoff or toss sweep. I guess as long as it's working the OC doesn't want to change. But SEC defenses will soon figure it out.
I always liked it when Ron Hudson had Jared Lorenzen split out wide with Shane Boyd under center. Always good to have another deep threat. [roll]
On a side note, the only thing I don't like about our version of the Wildcat is we NEVER even look at handing it to the jet. I can think of a few times where it wasn't there, but looks like we need to at least keep them honest by giving it from time to time when the opportunity arises.
But hey, more often than not it seems to be working.
But hey, more often than not it seems to be working.
That's basically it. Also when you sub they get to sub. You can't catch them in bad substitution patterns.
I suppose if you huddle and then break the huddle into the wildcat formation the defense won't have time to make a change. But to me it automatically means you aren't running to that area where the QB has to block and since UK hasn't shown a single desire to pass from the formation, the safety can crash as soon as the play starts IMO.
This is mostly it. It's not just a surprise thing. But if the offense makes any substitution, the defense is given time to substitute as well. By time, I mean a mini timeout where the ref stands over the football and everyone waits. So not only can the defense bring in a linebacker, they can bring in fresh linemen as well. You may notice, that while we don't run hurry up, we are moving at a nice clip and run it several times in a row to wear out the defense.
That's exactly what happened in the Timmons play posted above. The entire secondary crashed opposite where Towles lined up and Timmons snuck in behind them as they were crashing down to a wide open deep third.
So far, we've ran on every wildcat formation... So, teams know when someone else lines up behind center, beside the QB, that it's going to be a run.... Unless, you have a QB on the field for a trick play.. Anyway, we always run it and so far we've been successful with it, but that's saying more about our O-line than our wildcat formation..
I think it usually either goes for something positive or we are stopped right at the line of scrimmage. It isn't a bad thing from time to time, but it really does telegraph our punch, IMO. If we pass out of the formation once or twice, or we run the sweep, then it opens up the middle and can be a much more successful formation.