2. Early uses of a shotgun .

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3. Modern uses of shotgun

Xenos
11-24-2006, 10:28 PM
I'm just wondering why NFl teams don't use the shotgun formation as much as they do in college.

fireknuckles
11-24-2006, 10:37 PM
One disadvantage is, it's pretty difficult to run out of the shotgun. So pretty much when you're in the
shotgun most teams can sell out for the pass. You can catch teams off guard with a delay or a draw out of
the shotgun but it's not as effective as having a fullback leading the charge coming from an I-formation.

An advantage is, the QB is further back so it takes more time for opposing defenses to get to him. He's also
already standing back so he doesn't have to drop back any further. Since he doesn't have to drop back, he
will already be surveying the field and he can get the ball out more quickly.

benji929
11-24-2006, 11:00 PM
Right, and the main reason why they don't use it in the NFL as much as they do in college is the how much
better and faster the defense is in the NFL. In college, option runs with athletic QBs will often work well.
Options are nearly impossible to frequently run in the NFL because of how fast and disciplined defenders
are. So shotgun formations are usually more 1 dimensional in the NFL than they are in college.

SuperMatt
11-24-2006, 11:22 PM
I agree with the above posts. The shotgun is a formation that's generally used to sort of "dumb-down" a
passing play for a QB. It gives the QB the ability to see the whole field pre-snap, make easier reads and
buys an extra bit of time to throw.

As stated before, if you want to run the ball from the shotgun formation, you are pretty much limited to a
draw. It's typically used in sets with spread receivers, when you are willing to let the defense know you're
going to pass.

This year, the Chargers have used it pretty effectively with two RBs (LT and Manu) back, in obvious passing
situation. Manu stays into block most of the time, although I believe they were in shotgun on Sunday when
he motioned out (taking the blitzing Lynch into coverage) and they got LT 1-on-1 with Ekuban. 51 yards
later, TD Bolts.

Thunderstruck
11-24-2006, 11:37 PM
Basically, your run-options are severely limited from the shotgun. The running back is lined up right next to
the QB rather than behind him. Pretty much the only running plays you have available are the draw, the
delayed handoff, the toss, or a direct snap to the RB. The RB doesn't have the opportunity to build up a
head-of-steam before taking the football. The risk of a three or four yard loss after the handoff is greater.
The QB uses a shotgun because it gets him away from the LoS and gives him a clean look at the defense--
but it also gives the defense a clean look at him. Therefore, running play-action is not as effective from the
shotgun because the QB's back is never turned to the defense and he can't hide the ball.

All of this adds up to: The shotgun telegraphs the fact that a pass is forthcoming, as others have said. I just
thought I'd explain why the shotgun is really only effective as a passing formation 90% with the occasional
running-play designed to catch the defense off-guard. I've seen teams have some success runnning frequent
draw from the shotgun, and then suddenly the opposing defense figures it out--then their backs start getting
stopped for 4 and 5 yard losses, which is just as bad as giving up sacks. It's just not effective as a running
formation. This is why it is primarily used in obvious passing situations--because in those situations the
defense already knows you're going to pass so the shotgun doesn't give away any state secrets.

Thunderstruck
11-24-2006, 11:41 PM
I agree with the above posts. The shotgun is a formation that's generally used to sort of "dumb-down" a
passing play for a QB. It gives the QB the ability to see the whole field pre-snap, make easier reads and
buys an extra bit of time to throw.

As stated before, if you want to run the ball from the shotgun formation, you are pretty much limited to a
draw. It's typically used in sets with spread receivers, when you are willing to let the defense know you're
going to pass.

This year, the Chargers have used it pretty effectively with two RBs (LT and Manu) back, in obvious passing
situation. Manu stays into block most of the time, although I believe they were in shotgun on Sunday when
he motioned out (taking the blitzing Lynch into coverage) and they got LT 1-on-1 with Ekuban. 51 yards
later, TD Bolts.

It can actually be detrimental for less-experienced QBs because they have to take their eyes off the defense
for a split-second in order to catch the ball.

MyChargers
11-25-2006, 12:04 AM
One more disadvantage of the shotgun formation:

Quarterbacks don't have the advantge of a three, five, or seven step drop from which to time throws. This
can be particularly troublesome on timing routes.

sonorajim
11-25-2006, 07:12 AM
Good posts, all the above is correct. Some other basics:
Positive-
When the C is having trouble, he can't step on the QB in SG.

Negative-
Handling the snap in SG adds an element of mystery.
I think the shotgun should be a part of the offensive mix we show, just to keep defenses adjusting mentally
but should not be a primary formation.

DrTran
11-25-2006, 08:21 AM
You know what's weird? Seattle hardly ever uses shotgun. I think last year they didn't use it at all.

TH#32
 11-25-2006, 02:46 PM
I'm just wondering why NFl teams don't use the shotgun formation as much as they do in college.

I think because in college they run shotgun for options, hail mary, or screen. But the NFL runs all sorts of
plays that take time, and to have time you have to block. In the NFL blocking is nearly imposible.

JoeMcRugby
11-25-2006, 03:30 PM
It can actually be detrimental for less-experienced QBs because they have to take their eyes off the defense
for a split-second in order to catch the ball.

Yep. It's for that precise reason that the Bill Walsh and Joe Gibbs' offenses of the 1980s didn't use the
shotgun. Neither wanted their QB's focus to deviate from reading the defense.

jweb101
11-25-2006, 03:45 PM
One other advantage of shotgun:
A right handed QB can clearly see what the D is doing on the left side of the field rather than relying, to a
degree, on periphial vision..