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The Use of Multiple Tight Ends in the One-Back Offense

by: Dale Carlson
Head Coach Valparaiso University
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My first head football coaching position was in 1987. Upon arrival, I found quite a few skilled athletes, a good quarterback, and a severe lack of depth and talent in the offensive line. To overcome the problems in the offensive line, I decided to employ a run-and-shoot style attack. This allowed us to spread the defense and open up holes both running and passing that year. Our offense led our conference in rushing offense, passing offense, and total offense.


From that start, our offense has evolved into a pro-style one-back offense that utilizes many of those run-and-shoot principles along with the use of multiple tight ends. Having a true tight end has allowed our offense to become more consistent in running the football. Our philosophy is to be a ‘pass first’ football team. However, there comes a time that you have to run the football to be successful. Our staff believes the best way to do this is to use one, two, or three tight ends as part of our offense.


We have used many body types at the tight end position. Our tight ends have been between 6-1 and 6-4 and have weighed between 215-260 pounds. First and foremost, our tight ends must be able to block. They are not glorified offensive linemen but they must be able to successfully execute their blocking techniques. The tight end in our offense must be able to run and catch. The ability of the tight end to beat man coverage and stretch the defense vertically is a must for our offense to be successful.


The following diagrams show our basic formations. Y indicates the alignment of the tight end. Diagram 1 is our base formation.

Diagram 1
We have the ability to motion our tight end when he is in the slot to give him good release points on pass routes as well as good angles to execute blocks. Diagram 2 shows the TE in the traditional pro set. Diagram 3 shows the TE in the backfield where he can align either strong or weak. Diagrams 4-7 show the various alignments we use with two tight ends. Diagram 8 is our three-tight set that is used mainly in goal line and short yardage situations. However, we do use the three tight end set in normal down and distance situations as a change-up.

Diagram 2


Diagram 3


Diagram 4


Diagram 5


Diagram 6


Diagram 7


Diagram 8


Setting up blocking angles with tight ends is a key focus of our run offense. Diagram 9 shows a trips formation with the tight end off the ball. From this formation, we can run an inside zone play with the tight end pulling across the formation to block the backside end for the cutback. Diagram 10 shows the boot off the same run block action. The tight end motioning across the formation and aligning the TE in the backfield can give you the same results (Diagrams 11 and 12).

These are just a few ideas using multiple tight ends in a one-back offense.






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