The latest NCAA Football 11 developer blog comes from Anthony White and discusses the One Back offensive series:
Anthony White here and I'm back with another blog in our offensive styles series. In our previous offensive styles blog we focused on the new additions we've made to the shotgun spread offense, namely the read option play. We also touched on the fact that the term 'spread offense' is an umbrella term that encompasses a number of offensive systems. One of those offensive systems is the one back offense. The one back offense is an offense that's primarily run from under center with only one back in the backfield. This offensive approach can be used in a variety of ways. The offense can use multiple receiver sets to spread the defense to throw the football (Memphis, UTEP) or use two tight ends to establish a physical power running game (Alabama, Idaho). The one back offense, in many circles, is often thought of as the original spread offense and rightfully so.
The modern day one back offense was originally started in California at the high school level. At that time it was used primarily as a pass first offense. After years of success at that level it wasn't long before the offense caught the eyes of college coaches and made its way to the collegiate level at schools like San Jose State, Idaho, Wyoming, and Washington State. However, the one back offense gained national notoriety in the late 80's and early 90's at the University of Miami. The Hurricanes during this time period won two National Championships (1989 and 1991) while using the one back offense which featured three wide receivers, one tight end, and one back (Figure 1). With the success Miami was having with the offense other schools around the country began adopting the system and of course began putting their own unique spin on the offense.
Figure 1.
One Back Offense Philosophy
Like the spread offense, a big point of emphasis for the one back offense is to control the number of defenders a defense can deploy to the box. As mentioned earlier, the one back offense is considered by many as the original spread offense. Many of the core principles of both systems are similar. As we pointed out with the spread offense, one back teams also want to use multiple receiver sets to spread the defense out. If the defense doesn't cover/align across from each receiver, the offense must be willing to throw the ball at any given point. This idea is known as "Throwing Uncovered". An offense that's willing to throw to an uncovered receiver at any given point on the field will force the defense to cover/align across from the offensive receivers.
The offense with multiple receivers on the field can effectively pass against a defense who decides to load up against the running game as well as run against a defense whose primary focus is stopping the pass. Having an extra receiver on the field instead of a fullback often times puts the defense in the mindset of pass. However, the extra receiver being spread outside of the box forces the defense to align a defender across from him. This removal of a defensive player from the box essentially achieves the same thing as having a fullback block that same player from a two back alignment (Figures 2 and 3). Therefore an offensive team can execute any running play from a one back set as it can from a two back set.
Figure 2.
Figure 3.
New One Back Formations
The following one back sets are new to NCAA Football 11. These sets can be found in a variety of playbooks which was done based on our research of each team's offense.
Ace Jumbo Z
Ace Wing Trio TE
Ace F Wing Trips
Ace Slot Wing
Ace Tackle Over
Stay tuned for next week's offensive style...
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