Spreading the Double Wing

The double wing is an offense that allows undersized personnel to compete with larger opponents. The base package of the offense is very physical and often leads to large amounts of yardage and points when run correctly.

We have long been proponents of the Tim Murphy (Clovis, CA) style of double wing football, but as defenses devise a myriad of looks to prevent the double wing from rolling down the field continuously and controlling the clock, we have chosen to add to our package. We have felt that a double wing team needs to have a “curveball” to throw at defenses so that they do not become too comfortable facing the traditional under-center power game of the double wing.

The answer that we have devised is a shotgun version of the double wing. This package includes almost all of the base plays from the double wing but runs them with different formational packages and blocking adjustments to put the defense in conflict, prevent them from becoming comfortable, and provide us with quick strike capabilities.

Formations

Formations are the key to the spread double wing attack. We utilize an ACE set most of the time. ACE means that we have both wings split the difference between the tackle and the sideline as flankers. The fullback lines up offset right with a Ross call and offsets left with a Lou call two yards behind the guard. The quarterback assumes a balanced stance five yards deep in the backfield (See Diagram 1). We will also move our fullback into a wing position with a Ram or Lion call (See Diagram 2). We also have benefited greatly from unbalancing our tight ends to create an advantage with an over or under call. The over call unbalances a tight end right and under unbalances us left (See Diagram 3). We will also create a great passing set by a Rip or Liz call that will put both wings to one side along with a tight end to facilitate our passing game (See Diagram 4).

The Power (See Diagram 5)

The base play in any double wing attack is the power play. We tag this play as 24 Power to the right and 43 Power to the left. Player responsibilities are as follows:

• PSTE: Block down, double anyone over the tackle. If tackle is uncovered, go down to backer.
• PST: Double first man over to inside.
• PSG: Double first man in outside gap to in- side gap. If uncovered, block down to backer.
• Center: Block on vs. odd, block down vs. even.
• BSG: Pull and seal off second level inside.
• BST: Pull and seal off second level inside.
• BSTE: Cut to center vs. odd and scoop to BSLB vs. even.
• PSW: Cut-off.
• BSW: Cut-off.
• FB: Kick first man outside the “4” or “3” man.
• QB: Ball control.

The Counter (See Diagram 6)

The counter play allows us to show our opponent power and then change flow. Player responsibilities for 24/43 Counter are as follows:
• PSTE: Block down, double anyone over the tackle. If tackle uncovered, go down to backer.
• PST: Double first man over to inside.
• PSG: Double first man in outside gap to in- side gap. If uncovered, block down to backer.
• Center: Block on vs. odd, block down vs. even.
• BSG: Pull and kick first man outside “4” or “3”.
• BST: Pull and seal off second level inside.
• BSTE: Cut to center vs. odd and scoop to BSLB vs. even.
• PSW: Cut-off.
• BSW: Cut-off.
• FB: Kick first man at second level
• QB: Jab playside and ball to counter hole.

The Sweep (See Diagram 7)

Our favorite sweep from the gun is the 28/47 Trojan sweep. This play is very powerful and allows us to be physical with opponents that mistake our gun package for a finesse package. Player responsibilities are as follows:

• PSTE: Block on the DE.
• PST: Block on/down.
• PSG: Pull and block PSLB.
• Center: Block on vs. odd, block down vs. even.
• BSG: Pull and lead the alley: “Look Inside” – make contact fast.
• BST: Pull and lead the alley “Look Inside” - make contact fast.
• BSTE: Cut to center vs. odd and scoop vs. even.
• PSW: Cut-off.
• BSW: Cut-off.
• FB: Aim at PSDE and help where needed.
• QB: Ball control.

Power Pass (See Diagram 8)
The base pass play we throw is the power pass. This play is called 18 to the right and 17 to the left. This is a great cover 2 attack play for our offense. The roll out of the QB makes pressure much easier to pick up. Player responsibilities are as follows:

• PSTE: Corner route.
• PST: On to down.
• PSG: On to down.
• Center: On away.
• BSG: On to down.
• BST: On to down.
• BSTE: Secure backside (route if tagged).
• PSW: Hitch.
• BSW: Deep middle.
• FB: Reach playside defensive end.
• QB: Ball wide, fast.

Dropback Passes
(See Diagrams 9 and 10)
We block our drop back just like power pass except we stay in the pocket and require the fullback to kick out the end instead of reaching him. The base pass play we utilize from the gun is our bubble screen. We can do this from a number of formations to create numbers advantages on the perimeter. We also like to throw two-man combination routes. These routes are simple concepts using hitches, slants, fades, and other easy to learn routes. Diagram 9 shows our slant-out combination and Diagram 10 shows our under-go route.

Conclusion
We feel that the Shotgun Double Wing allows our offense to have more of a quick-strike capability in the passing game. However, the real advantage of adding this package to the double wing arsenal is that it forces defenses to adjust to new formations and defend the pass. This allows us to have a much easier time running the base double wing plays from the gun which is the staple of our success.