Chapter 3 - Offense

A strong defense can keep games close but if you can't move the ball on offense, it may not matter. This section provides tips on executing your offense. You'll find coverage of offensive formations, new auto-motion and trick plays (including Boise State's Hook and Ladder and Statue of Liberty plays), and strategies for effective passing, running, and option plays.

Offensive Formations

Players can handle NCAA Football 08 offensive play-calling through lists of formations, players, play types, or even the not-always-reliable "Ask Corso" method. If you're looking to get a specific player involved, call the offensive play through the player menus; if you want to continue to abuse the defense on a particular play, then search in only those play types. No matter how you go about selecting the play, offensive formations remain the foundation of the call. The following list covers offensive formations you'll utilize in NCAA Football 08.

• Ace: This formation uses the single running back (the "Ace") behind the quarterback. Ace is a very flexible formation and available in a bunch of varieties. Ace can be run-focused with double tight end sets or pass-focused with three wide receivers. The lack of a fullback does decrease blocking but impact and motivated running backs can still thrive. Ace is an important formation for teams with a skilled running back.
• I-Form: Running back and fullback lined up in an "I" formation behind the quarterback. This is a strong running formation, though it can be balanced by using more pass-oriented variations. Pass catching fullbacks can thrive in passes to the flat. This is a good formation with teams with a skilled fullback—to assist in run blocking, pass blocking, short dump offs, and even mixing into the running game.
• Strong and Weak: These formations are similar to the I-Form but the fullback is offset to either the strong or weak side. The strong side is the same side as the tight end. Also provides a strong short passing game with backs out of the backfield. Force your opponent to think short while you mix it up and go long to a receiver or tight end.
• Power I: A combination of I-Form and Strong/Weak. There are a total of three backs behind the quarterback. This can provide additional blocking as well as more options in the short-passing game. Hit any of the backs coming out of the backfield and into the flat.

The Flexbone is an option formation. You can find this formation in the Air Force Falcons' playbook.

• Flexbone, Full House, Wishbone, Jumbo T: These are typical option formations with three backs lined up in a variety of formations behind or adjacent to the quarterback. Flexbone is closer to the line and Wishbone (so named because the formation looks like an upside-down wishbone) is away from the line. Obviously ideal for option plays, runs, and short passes. You'll find these in option-oriented offensive playbooks, such as Air Force. Full House and Jumbo T (check Navy's playbook) also use three backs in the backfield, though deeper than Flexbone or Wishbone.
• Split Backs: The backs are split behind the quarterback, essentially perpendicular to the quarterback or parallel to the line. It's an intriguing formation for teams with two good running backs (use packages to use dual HB) or good pass catching backs.
• Shotgun: The quarterback lines up several yards behind the center taking the snap away from the line of scrimmage. This typically affords the passer more time to find the receivers. Usually passing formation but can be a disguised run formation (a lot of auto-motion plays out of Shotgun offer additional run, pass, and option choices). Shotgun offers many variations and alignments. Mix it up and move an impact or motivated receiver around the formation to open up new routes and mismatch possibilities. Wide open, "spread" offenses are fill with shotgun formations and plays; check out Florida or Hawaii.

• Pistol: The Pistol formation is similar to the Shotgun but a running back lines up behind the quarterback adding to run potential.
• Goal Line: Tight formation intended to gain short yardage. Typically subs wide receivers for tight ends for better run blocking at the line. This formation can be a tricky pass formation if you can withstand the pass rush (the defense will likely also be in a Goal Line formation or at minimum attacking with a heavy pass rush).
• Hail Mary: If you need a huge chunk of yardage in a single play this is where you'll look. Depending on the situation, there actually may be better options in Shotgun formation (standard Hail Mary plays are fairly straight-forward). Check Boise State's playbook for a unique Hail Mary play: Circus, which is essentially the Hook and Ladder play.

Offensive Packages

Further alter an offensive formation by using packages. After selecting the formation, cycle through packages and make any desired adjustments. Packages either switch in new personnel not normally used in the formation or alter the position of particular personnel, such as switching a running back into the wide receiver position. Use packages to help get the ball to impact or motivated players and to create mismatches against the opposing defense.

• Strong Slot: Shifts the primary receiver into the slot. This is excellent for exposing a mismatch against a weaker nickel defense cornerback. Utilize Strong Slot for impact or motivated receivers to move them around the field to open up new routes.
• WR (or Flanker or TE or HB) Flip: Flips the primary and secondary receiver, which could put the primary (or impact or motivated) receiver against a weaker corner.
• Twin HB: In two RB sets, swaps in the backup running back instead of the fullback. Use Twin HB for teams with at least two strong running backs. This is a good package for misdirection runs, option plays, or check down passes in the flat.
• Jumbo Backfield (or Fullback): Swaps in fullbacks to the halfback position. Give the big man some reps; the halfback position has more elaborate plays whereas standard plays for the fullback are straightforward dive or blast plays.
• TE Slot (or Wideout): Shifts the tight end into the slot receiver position. Excellent for teams with impact or motivated tight ends; the package opens up new pass patterns for the skilled tight end.
• HB Sub (Spell HB) or WR Sub: Give your running back a breather and sub in the backup for a few plays. Or your wide receiver in one receiver sets.

Utilize packages to shift a player around the formation, such as sending a good catching halfback into the slot.

• HB Slot (or Flanker or Split End or Wideout): Shifts the running back into the receiver position. This package is ideal for teams with impact or motivated running backs with high catch ability (high speed helps as well!). There's also an HB2 Flanker to insert the backup running back.
• 3 WR or 4 WR: Removes a tight end in a two or three receiver set and replaces with a third or fourth wide receiver. There's also an All WR package. Somewhat the opposite, the Big package uses tight ends to replace receivers.
• CB Slot (or Flanker): Insert a fast cornerback into the WR position! He may not be the best at catching the ball but it's sure to keep your opponent off guard. Not a bad move if your cornerback is currently motivated!
• WR Wing: Inserts the primary receiver into a goal line formation instead of one of the tight ends. TE Wing is the opposite. Used for the unexpected goal line pass play.
• HB/FB Flip: Flip these positions, perhaps in an option offensive set. Use for teams with a strong fullback.
• Backup QB: Get the backup in there in case your QB is fatigued or you just want to mix it up. Or perhaps your selected team has no clear-cut starter—both are equally good…or bad!
• TE/HB Flanker Left/Right: Shifts TE left or right or HB to the flanker position left or right.
• FB/TE Swap: Swap the fullback and tight end positions.
• TE Backfield: Move a tight end into the backfield. Good for strong blocking tight ends or to mix up pass routes for excellent pass catching, impact or motivated tight ends.
• HB QB Sub: In Arkansas' Shotgun Wildcat formation, it subs the starting running back into the quarterback position.
• Miami (or MLB or Heavy): Inserts a defensive linemen in place of a tight end. In MLB, places the middle linebacker on the weak side. Heavy uses another offensive linemen for the tight end in big formations.
• Regular: In Hail Mary, inserts "standard" personnel of 2 WR, 1 RB, 1 FB, and 1 TE.

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