Understanding Football (1 Viewer)

[ItsGoTime]

I'm looking for some general articles that help explain general football terminology and position strategy in more depth. For example, I've heard terms like X and Z receiver but don't have a deep understanding of what they mean. What is the QB looking for when they decide to audible play changes at the line? I'm also looking for help understanding the offensive and defensive lines better, i.e. getting a better understanding of how the blocking schemes impact the runningbacks, receivers, and tight ends.

Do you know of any websites or articles on FBG that would help? I've been doing some general searching, but haven't found quite what I'm looking for.

 

[The Jerk]

Most of what you want to explore can be better found in books. Websites are pretty scarce on information, but the basics of simple offensive and defensive terminology can be found here:

Offensive Terminology

Defensive Terminology

 

[Touchdown Syndrome]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football_strategy

 

[ItsGoTime]

Thanks fellas. These links should take me a long way. (I never thought to check Wikipedia.)

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Find the IDP 101 series here in the "articles" section. They're by a mile the best thing I've seen on defenses.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Find the IDP 101 series here in the "articles" section. They're by a mile the best thing I've seen on defenses.

Thanks wdcrob.Here's the link if you're interested in some defensive discussion.

 

[mvp2112]

http://smartfootball.com/

 

[CletiusMaximus]

You really only need one book (two volumes) to know all there is worth knowing --> "Vince Lombardi On Football"

 

[tdmills]

I'm looking for some general articles that help explain general football terminology and position strategy in more depth. For example, I've heard terms like X and Z receiver but don't have a deep understanding of what they mean. What is the QB looking for when they decide to audible play changes at the line? I'm also looking for help understanding the offensive and defensive lines better, i.e. getting a better understanding of how the blocking schemes impact the runningbacks, receivers, and tight ends.Do you know of any websites or articles on FBG that would help? I've been doing some general searching, but haven't found quite what I'm looking for.

X is normally on the line....your more physical WR....they are better at fighting off jams. Z is generally off the line(to the TE side)....they motion more obviously.QB's audible when they play the counting game. 8 in the box, audible to a pass. 6 in the box audible to the run. Audible by shifting the protection to help with a blitz...many variations here...slide, calling which side the RB helps, etc. Also audibling if the coverage is tipped off by safties rotating too soon before the snap.Blocking schemes is more in depth. Let me know what you want via PM.

 

[The Jerk]

I'm looking for some general articles that help explain general football terminology and position strategy in more depth. For example, I've heard terms like X and Z receiver but don't have a deep understanding of what they mean. What is the QB looking for when they decide to audible play changes at the line? I'm also looking for help understanding the offensive and defensive lines better, i.e. getting a better understanding of how the blocking schemes impact the runningbacks, receivers, and tight ends.Do you know of any websites or articles on FBG that would help? I've been doing some general searching, but haven't found quite what I'm looking for.

X is normally on the line....your more physical WR....they are better at fighting off jams. Z is generally off the line(to the TE side)....they motion more obviously.QB's audible when they play the counting game. 8 in the box, audible to a pass. 6 in the box audible to the run. Audible by shifting the protection to help with a blitz...many variations here...slide, calling which side the RB helps, etc. Also audibling if the coverage is tipped off by safties rotating too soon before the snap.Blocking schemes is more in depth. Let me know what you want via PM.

I gave you a website link or two but I could have done a little bit of what tdmills did, too...Not much more to say in terms of X and Z.An example on audibles: in the past, Peyton Manning has been given three plays from his offensive coordinator to relay to his team in the huddle (or along the line of scrimmage). I believe it usually is two runs and one pass. When Peyton sees the defensive alignment, he can select which play to run by audibles, using code words, physical gestures or both to communicate the play to the rest of the team.Also, the simplest example of how the offensive line (and matchup with a given defensive line) can impact fantasy play is that weaker offensive lines will hurt production of yardage and TDs for running backs (especially when near the goal-line). That's pretty obvious. It may, however, increase the number of receptions by running backs. Digging a little deeper for the less obvious, weaker offensive lines often force offensive coordinators to keep the tight end on the line of scrimmage to help with pass blocking, hurting his receiving statistics. In addition, weaker pass protection tends to hurt receivers who are better at deep catches. Chad Ochocinco's decline and T.J. Houshmandzadeh's rise when both played for the Bengals the past two or three seasons is credited at least in part to weaker pass protection not allowing deep plays to develop.When you're watching games or reading about teams, you will often notice that a given team is better at run-blocking vs. pass-blocking. Right now, the Steelers offensive line qualifies as weaker against the run than against the pass.

 

[ItsGoTime]

Wow, thanks everyone. It's clear I still have a lot to learn about football.

 

[Saints-Man]

Most of what you want to explore can be better found in books. Websites are pretty scarce on information, but the basics of simple offensive and defensive terminology can be found here:

Offensive Terminology

Defensive Terminology

Thanks for the links.

 

[Saints-Man]

Find the IDP 101 series here in the "articles" section. They're by a mile the best thing I've seen on defenses.

Thanks wdcrob.Here's the link if you're interested in some defensive discussion.

I want to echo wdcrob sentiments here and post that I found that link very informative.

 

[Couch Potato]

Wait, when did we stop using "Run til you get to the blue Chevy then cut left and I'll hit you near the garbage can."

I need to brush up on my Footballogy.

Seriously, I'm loving these links. I know offense pretty well just from what I've picked up over the years, but that IDP article is something I'm going to spend some time with. Thanks!

 

[Truman]

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/strategy-minicamps

 

[drcrappants]

bookmarking this thread. always something to learn.

questions for the pros

1. what's the difference between a halfback and tailback?

2. why is the 3rd cb called nickel and 4th cb called dime and why is it called quarter defense? (im guessing because of 4 cbs)?

3. why are halfbacks and quarterbacks called their names?

 

[GloryDaze]

What I'd like to know is how come the offensive tackles could sometimes pat the QB on the bum in the shotgun on one play, and be in position but turned out 45 degrees on the next, but will get blown for illegal formation on play #2. It's like the foot fault in tennis I guess.

 

[The Jerk]

bookmarking this thread. always something to learn.questions for the pros1. what's the difference between a halfback and tailback?2. why is the 3rd cb called nickel and 4th cb called dime and why is it called quarter defense? (im guessing because of 4 cbs)?3. why are halfbacks and quarterbacks called their names?

I'm not the ultimate authority, but I'll share what I've come to understand.1. The term "tailback" is usually used to label the player who stands the farthest back in the "I" formation -- he's at the "tail" of the formation.1. and 3. In early football formations, the player who was the farthest distance back from the line was called the fullback because he was "fully back" from the line. A halfback was similarly named because he was "half way back" from the line of scrimmage relative to the fullback, i.e., he was more or less half way between the line and the fullback. Following the logic, the player who was between the line and the halfback was the quarterback -- halfway between the line and the halfback, and half of a half is a quarter mathematically.I've also heard that these positions have counterparts in Scottish rugby, but I don't have a rugby fantasy team, so I'm less able to comment on that.I can understand why confusion over these position names exist given the modern football landscape wherein the fullback lines up closer than the halfback and the quarterback can be lined up deepest in all in the shotgun. Now, the halfback is defined as the quicker player and the fullback as the plodder and blocker, and of course the quarterback predominantly as a passer.I can remember the 1970s Steelers with Harris as a fullback and Bleier as a halfback, at least when they ran the I formation. (They also were often in a pro set where both players are at the same depth in the backfield.) Bleier was smaller but quicker to the hole; lining up closer (as a halfback) made him more effective. Harris was a big back and had greater power when he got up to full speed from farther back. I may be wrong about this and/or it may only apply to the 1970s Steelers, but growing up watching them every week, that's how I came to understand these positions. And as far as I remember, Bradshaw never took a shotgun snap in his career.2. As far as I know, the nickel, dime and quarter formations simply indicate the presence of 5, 6, and 7 defensive backs, respectively.Nickel comes from five cents to describe five backs, dime was used because there is no 6-cent piece, and then quarter continued the analogy. I suppose half-dollar formation is next if someone decides to throw 8 defensive backs out there someday, but that's probably unnecessary overkill as teams typically like some defensive line/linebacker presence.

 

[dino259]

.

 

[Native]

 

[Jene Bramel]

bookmarking this thread. always something to learn.

questions for the pros

2. why is the 3rd cb called nickel and 4th cb called dime and why is it called quarter defense? (im guessing because of 4 cbs)?

I'm not the ultimate authority, but I'll share what I've come to understand.2. As far as I know, the nickel, dime and quarter formations simply indicate the presence of 5, 6, and 7 defensive backs, respectively.

Nickel comes from five cents to describe five backs, dime was used because there is no 6-cent piece, and then quarter continued the analogy. I suppose half-dollar formation is next if someone decides to throw 8 defensive backs out there someday, but that's probably unnecessary overkill as teams typically like some defensive line/linebacker presence.

I've heard that the "dime" terminology derives from having two nickel backs, i.e. two nickel (backs) add up to a dime defense. Quarters isn't a nickel formation, it's a zone coverage in which each of the four defensive backs are responsible for a quarter of the deep zone. It's nearly seven years old now and doesn't have the fancy diagrams of some newer treatments, but here's a good link about quarters coverage.

 

[The Jerk]

bookmarking this thread. always something to learn.

questions for the pros

2. why is the 3rd cb called nickel and 4th cb called dime and why is it called quarter defense? (im guessing because of 4 cbs)?

I'm not the ultimate authority, but I'll share what I've come to understand.2. As far as I know, the nickel, dime and quarter formations simply indicate the presence of 5, 6, and 7 defensive backs, respectively.

Nickel comes from five cents to describe five backs, dime was used because there is no 6-cent piece, and then quarter continued the analogy. I suppose half-dollar formation is next if someone decides to throw 8 defensive backs out there someday, but that's probably unnecessary overkill as teams typically like some defensive line/linebacker presence.

I've heard that the "dime" terminology derives from having two nickel backs, i.e. two nickel (backs) add up to a dime defense. Quarters isn't a nickel formation, it's a zone coverage in which each of the four defensive backs are responsible for a quarter of the deep zone. It's nearly seven years old now and doesn't have the fancy diagrams of some newer treatments, but here's a good link about quarters coverage.

Thanks, Jene. I didn't know about the two nickels make a dime part but it makes sense.I did know and meant to put the quarters coverage into my post -- I became initially aware of quarters due to playing Madden but I lost track of it during my long-winded commentary. Since playing Madden, I have heard it mentioned numerous times during broadcasts, etc.

Again, thanks for cleaning up my information and patching the holes as you did.

 

[Sidewinder16]

 

[Tom Servo]

 

[Doug B]

I suppose half-dollar formation is next if someone decides to throw 8 defensive backs out there someday, but that's probably unnecessary overkill as teams typically like some defensive line/linebacker presence.

You'll see this on end-of-game "Hail Mary" plays sometimes ... three men rush, the remaining eight clog the end zone.

 

[Marburg]

Find the IDP 101 series here in the "articles" section. They're by a mile the best thing I've seen on defenses.

Thanks wdcrob.Here's the link if you're interested in some defensive discussion.

I am a huge fan of defensive football and that article is so worth a read. I might get fired, but I have enjoyed my afternoon! Thank you!

 

[GregR_2]

bookmarking this thread. always something to learn.

questions for the pros

1. what's the difference between a halfback and tailback?

2. why is the 3rd cb called nickel and 4th cb called dime and why is it called quarter defense? (im guessing because of 4 cbs)?

3. why are halfbacks and quarterbacks called their names?

...2. As far as I know, the nickel, dime and quarter formations simply indicate the presence of 5, 6, and 7 defensive backs, respectively.

Nickel comes from five cents to describe five backs, dime was used because there is no 6-cent piece, and then quarter continued the analogy. I suppose half-dollar formation is next if someone decides to throw 8 defensive backs out there someday, but that's probably unnecessary overkill as teams typically like some defensive line/linebacker presence.

Belichick once came up with a pass rush 1, drop 10 into coverage scheme to use against Indy in the event the Pats opened up a lead on them. I don't know how many were DBs, but it's not out of the realm of possibility, that's for sure.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Here's an outstanding one:

http://football.calsci.com/