Development of Offensive Strategies

The offensive techniques and formations prevalent in the contemporary game developed from the ideas of early and mid-20th century coaches such as Walter Camp, Alonzo Stagg, Pop Warner, Fielding “Hurry Up” Yost, Bob Zuppke, Knute Rockne, and Paul Brown. Following very few historical precedents, these men innovated unique strategies that changed the nature of football forever. Stagg, operating out of the early T-formation, originated the between-the-legs snap from center to quarterback and put a player in motion in the backfield before the snap of the ball. In 1906 Warner unbalanced his line, placing four players on one side of the center and two on the other side, while shifting the backfield into a wing formation. The quarterback functioned as a blocker, set close behind the line and a yard wide of the center. At the same depth, but outside the line, was the wingback. Deep in the backfield was the tailback, who received most of the snaps, and in front and to the side was the fullback. This formation became known as the “Single-Wing,” and it remained football's basic formation until the 1940s. From the Single-Wing emerged Warner's “Double-Wing,” with wingbacks set wide on either side of the line. This formation forced the defense to spread itself across the field in order to protect against the pass, thus creating favorable conditions for the offense to execute unexpected running plays. The strategy is the same as today's “draw” and “end-around” concepts, but Warner's teams could also pass from the formation. Warner would also open up the lines completely, splitting the ends into modern “slot” positions, inside the wingbacks. This was a four-receiver formation that evolved into the “Shotgun” offense, popularized by the San Francisco 49ers of 1960. Like the double-wing, the “Shotgun” utilized two wideouts and two slot players, with the passer set deep in the backfield next to a running back.  

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