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Theoretical Football

Theoretical football is the notion that American football is an exceedingly complex sport that requires a branch of learning. Its goal is to accentuate the cerebral, academic, and quantifiable aspects of American football. - Denauld William Brown

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Defending The Best Offensive Minds Topic: Mike Bobo Offensive Coordinator University of Georgia
By Denauld William Brown

This is a continued series on how to read and defend offensive formations pre-snap. We will discuss the pre-snap formations run by University of Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. We will study the first of a few formations is the first two series of the SEC Championship. We will also give an in-depth look at some of the formational intent that defines this master architect.

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Pro Number of running backs: 1 Number of receivers: 3 Number of Tight ends: 1 Formation Type: Male Formation demeanor: Run

Great play callers have a formations. First, you see the Y and the F. After signature. A signature is absolutely no motion. Slot many years of study, something that is unique to formations are also missing. formations themselves have the play caller and it is often Lastly you seldom see 3x1 tendencies,independent of hidden in plain sight. That Formations. In most cases it the play caller, especially signature is also the reason would seem that not having a when the hash is a major part for a play callers success over these 3 variables would be a of the college football game. a long period of time. detriment but Mike Bobo The formations that Mike Georgia is a very good seems to use very subtle yet Bobo uses are precise and offense. Mark Richt is one of small variations as part of a clean. You will see slight the best offensive coaches in larger sequence of variations of #2, or in this the college game. His formations. Field position case, the F receiver outside, influence on Mike Bobos play seems to be accounted for in on, or inside the hash. This calling is noticeable in his his formation which will be will help identify the formation sequences in this explained further. Because of signature of this master SEC championship game vs. the use Xof so many 2x2 sets architect. Alabama. There are three there is a greater relationship fundamental things missing between the offset back to from these series of both #2 receivers. In this case

Pro Number of running backs: 1 Number of receivers: 3 Number of Tight ends: 1 Formation Type: Male Formation demeanor: Run

This is the second formation of a 3 play series. There is only one slight change that was made in this formation compared to the previous. Notice how the offset back is on the other side of the quarterback. Many offensive coordinators plan there formations sequences in the weeks game plan preparation prior to the contest. Georgia has a long term plan that seems to span across the entire season. A question to ask about this Georgia offense is how can this offense be this good with very few variations in there formations? This type

of plan has to be well thought receivers, in this case both the out over a very long period of F and the Y. The R is time to truly have an effect. As who we call MO. MO is the you look at this formation a Middle Of the 5 eligible few things stand out. Firstly, theplayers. MO has a natural F or the #2 receiver in on the attraction to the Y and, in this line of scrimmage. Why is that case, an inherent need to repel so important? In the passing from the F especially in the game it gives the F a direct run game. The fundamental vertical path to the safety. In question is why would this be the run game, a successful true for all one back type cutback run play, places the formations? Well the answer F in position to block the can be found in why many nearest inside defender offensive coordinators have pursuing the ball carrier from gone to running one back inside Xout. Typically their is a formations out of pistol? natural relationship between an offset back, in any one back formation, and the #2

Pro Number of running backs: 1 Number of receivers: 3 Number of Tight ends: 1 Formation Type: Female Formation demeanor: Pass

Now notice the slight those variations are a direct them? Mike Bobo is master at variation to this formation result of trying to stay on using these weapons. from the previous. What is the schedule especially when it Balanced 2x2 sets give you difference? Now the F or comes to the back and the subtle multiplicity in the #2 receiver is off of the line near #2 receiver. As a point it passing game a blatant of scrimmage. Mike Bobo is very important to multiplicity in the running employs slight variations as understand that formations game by placing all part of a greater call design and tactical football is defenders at the point of sequence. Georgia is a such a rooted in the formations attack! Offsetting MO or #3 good offense they need only themselves. Offensive in any one back formation to vary their formations when coordinators declare their true can lead to heavy tendencies trying to control the situation intent and philosophy based and predictability by an of the game. If you watch the on formation structure and offense. Mike Bobo does a SEC championship game on field placement not plays. On wonderful job of keeping Youtube while reading this the front line of any battle these tendencies hidden you will notice that Georgia your tactical X advantage can behind slight variations. was off schedule a few times be tied to the variety of with a penalty and miscue weapons you use but more early on. You will see how importantly how you use

Pro Number of running backs: 1 Number of receivers: 3 Number of Tight ends: 1 Formation Type: Female Formation demeanor: Pass

This is the first play of the second series and Mike Bobo starts off in a Pro 3x1 formation. This play actually resulted in a false start. However the question that needs to be asked in why start this series in a 3x1 formation?

Pro Number of running backs: 1 Number of receivers: 3 Number of Tight ends: 1 Formation Type: Male Formation demeanor: Run

What do you notice about what Mike Bobo has done with this formation? Because of the previous penalty play there is a immediate need to get back on schedule. The first thing Mike Bobo did was placing the quarterback under center. Secondly, putting the R back behind the center in the middle of the formation tells you that a run play is highly probably. The question that needs to be asked is if the F or #2 receiver was off the ball, would the chances of a run play still be high?

Pro Number of running backs: 1 Number of receivers: 3 Number of Tight ends: 1 Formation Type: Male Formation demeanor: Run

Now it gets interesting! The of the average number of previous 4 2x2 formations plays an offense wants to placed all the extended run based on pervious eligible offensive players on contest? Secondly, how many the offensive right side of the plays did they average in formation or the defenses each drive? Why are these left. What do you notice questions so important to ask about the depth of the back? while game planning against He is slightly deeper than in a master architect like Mike any previous play call. This Bobo or any other master play was infact a screen play play caller that we have to the defenses right so it featured in these series of makes sense why the back writings? If you know the would be deeper. Patterned formations you will now the based formations and play play callers intent. If you calls lead to confusion on know the X order of hi defense if you are not aware formations you will know the of two mitigating factors. play caller himself. First, you have to be aware

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