Texas Offense: Personnel and Formations...

What I'd like to present here are some of the Spring Game formations Texas' starting offense presented to Texas' base defense, the 4-3 under (3-technique DT to the boundary or away from passing strength). For more information regarding the 4-3 under defense, a simple google search of exactly that should suffice. So, what we can gather from these clips are the basics of what Shawn Watson and Joe Wickline may scheme vs an opponent who plays the 4-3 under defense. The general formations and plays will not change vs other defenses, but for those keeping better track of details, they may find that tidbit important. So, let's get to the personnel and formations. I won't get into much detail as those who know football better than me will not need it and it's also easier to keep things simple. Let's take a look at the Texas Spring Game personnel and formation overview.

What you'll see here is "12" personnel (1 RB, 2 TE) with the WR on the left "removed" from the formation in favor of 2 WR's to the right. The QB is under center with the RB deep behind him. This formation is also accompanied by some motion from the wing player. Notice the safety move with the wing player in motion, often indicating man coverage.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/3416217

Next is "11" personnel (1 RB, 1 TE) with an in-line TE making a 3X1 formation, 3 receiving threats to the right, the field and 1 receiving threat to the left, the boundary.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/3416283

This is "20" personnel (2 RB, 0 TE) and is referred to as a split-back formation.  We see the same WR alignments as the previous play. The RB's in this formation can stay in for pass protection or they may release into the receiving pattern.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/3416310

The following is "11" personnel again, except all 3 WR's are split to the boundary. The QB is now in what is commonly referred to as the "pistol" formation, shotgun with a RB lined up a short distance behind him. Notice the RB shift positions to the right and slightly behind the QB. This will alter the type of run called and possible pass protection. The RB may also stay of course and you'll note the possible WR screen threat to the boundary.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/3416337

Here is "22" personnel (2 RB, 2 TE) and the "I" formation, FB and RB in the backfield with QB under center. Both TE's are in-line. Notice the WR in "jet" motion from the left, he slows up and proceeds to block the edge defender with inside-out leverage, a kick-out block.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/3416365

This provides a glimpse of how Watson will move players pre-snap to gain leverage and numbers. I would also anticipate seeing other plays in this series where the motion WR bypasses the block and releases into the pattern.

The following personnel is "10" personnel (1 RB, 0 TE) and the formation is a 3X1 WR spread formation. This personnel will be seen in a 2X2 WR spread formation and in formations with the WR's in "reduced" splits, alignment near the ends of the OL.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/3418387

In the above clip, you can see the QB fail to properly set protection. The Mike (middle LB) easily drops down and to the left edge of the OL and has a clear path to the QB. The QB must realize there are 3 "blitzers" to each side of the OL and properly set the protection or recognize the free runner at the snap and immediately get the ball out to his "hot" read.

I'll go ahead and stop here. There are other personnel and formations, like "23" personnel (2 RB, 3 TE) in "heavy" formations Texas fans may see in short yardage or goal line situations. Also, there is a plethora of other alignments within the same personnel groupings Watson will use to game plan vs certain opponents. What I wanted to get accomplished here was to highlight the basics. I also wanted to hint at a few of the "surface games" played at the line of scrimmage (LOS). Watson and Wickline's "multiple" offense will seek to challenge defenses' gap integrity and physicality on the interior and perimeter of the line of scrimmage. All the while, using those same "surface games" as a jump-off to run various run-action quick passing plays as well as play-action to the intermediate and deep zones in coverage. I hope you enjoyed.

Shawn Watson's Offense

It's about that time! College football is just around the corner, so I thought I'd write about Texas' new offense under Shawn Watson and Joe Wickline. After viewing Texas' Spring Game, I think it's fair to say Longhorns fans can expect an offense very similar to what Watson ran at Louisville. So, what did Watson do at Louisville?

For starters, I can't begin to properly characterize Watson's Louisville offense. I don't think it's as easy as referring to it as a West Coast Offense (WCO), in it's pure form anyway. However, what I do see is a framework based on the modern NFL offense, an "NFL-Lite" offense if you will. That may be a good place to begin.

The reasons I characterize Watson's offensive framework as "NFL-Lite" are due to what I see on Sundays. NFL offenses utilize multiple personnel and formations in both traditional and spread sets. They often utilize shifts and motions to prognosticate defensive intent and gain small advantages in numbers, leverage, space, and confusion. NFL quarterbacks will line up under center and shotgun and will feature a greater variety of handoffs, drop backs, and play-action quarterback movement. The NFL passing game presents a mix of ball control, vertical concepts, and screens meant to attack all zones, short, intermediate, and deep. Lastly, NFL offenses have begun integrating modern read-option strategies and tactics, a welcome change for die-hard college football fans. All of the above are utilized by Watson, presumably in a much more compact and streamlined manner suitable for college football players limited by practice-time rules.

So, in short, it looks complicated. It's difficult to cover the breadth of Watson's offense in one post. So, instead it may be better to start watching plays and begin to see how personnel, formation, and play calls are tied together. It's my view that Watson runs the same concepts from multiple formations with a tiered organization based on down, distance, and situation. So, play series from formations meant more for early downs and ball control will differ from play series meant for vertical passing and late downs. However, that doesn't mean he won't flip personnel and formation on those same downs and within those same play series. Watson's intent is to completely control the initiative and make it so the defense must play honest at all times or get caught playing to a false tendency. That's my take anyway. This is no spread offense that dictates with tempo and spacing, though I wouldn't exclude those strategies. Watson's offense will dictate with a "surface game" of personnel, formations, shifts, and motion all meant to disguise a finite amount of offensive concepts that all coalesce to form the offensive framwork. Get it!? Let's start with some examples. 

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/3412676

Above we have "11" personnel, split-zone to the right. I chose this play because I anticipate this to be a staple for Texas in 2014 and it will serve as a basis for what is potentially our best personnel. On to the next one.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/3412693

Watson makes a similar call 3 plays later with the same personnel on 1st down. The scheme up front is changed to "wide zone" with the same "split" action from the wing player, but here he releases to the flat and the quarterback keeps the ball on the bootleg. Notice how much more space this creates for what is most likely a high-low read with a run or throw away option. Also, notice that the defensive end is completely fooled, ankles "broken". Again, a very basic example, but you can easily see how these two plays relate. The beauty? What if the other team can't stop the zone run? You can run these plays all game, that's what!

Let's turn to another personnel grouping and formation, "22" personnel and the "I" formation. I actually like the "I". I only question Texas' current roster's ability to fill the FB role. Again, another formation with a similar concept, zone. Let's take a look.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/3412717

In the next sequence, you'll note Watson run G-Lead, then afterward a play-action pass play off of the same lead run-action. Again, an illustration of how Watson will fit complimentary schemes together and run series from the same look and action. He will do this with regard to the pass game as well and work in draw and screen plays to prey on defensive overcommitment.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/3412723

Notice where the lead ends up on the 2nd play, besides hurt of course. Also, look at the defensive flow towards the run-action! The Mike is busted, but the Sam is there to save the day (at least I think that's Sam). Once again, you begin to see how a play series is set up in Watson's offense and how the same concepts can be run with different personnel and formations. This is the tip of the iceberg, but what I've gleaned thus far from Watson is that he runs complimentary concepts with various personnel and formations in order to keep defenses "flat-footed" and guessing wrong. It may not soothe many Longhorns fans' yearning for explosive plays and repeat appearances on ESPN highlight reels, but hey! We have our own network for that. I may continue my exploration of Watson's offense and since this is my first blog post ever, please feel free to give me constructive feedback.