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PRIMA Offi cial Game Guide
EMPTY
With an empty backfi eld, an of-
fense has fi ve receivers available for
passes. Empty formation sets are
designed to spread the defense, and
if you have running backs lined up
as receivers, you can also run the
option. However, empty formations
usually scream “pass play” to defens-
es—so watch out for blitzes.
FLEXBONE
When you see three running backs
in the backfi eld, you’ve got the
fl exbone—and expect to see option
plays any time it appears. In the fl ex-
bone, one back lines up behind the
quarterback, and the other two line
up just outside the tackles (although
there are many variants as to exactly
where they line up). Because the
running backs line up in receiver-type
positions, there is “fl exibility” in call-
ing a run, option, or pass play out of
this formation—so it’s very tough for
defenses to handle.
I-FORM & POWER I
In the I formation (known in the
game as I-Form), the halfback and
fullback line up directly behind the
quarterback—thus creating the “I.”
A variant of the I-Form is the Power
I, in which the middle back lines
up offset so that the three running
backs form a tight triangle behind the
quarterback. Generally, the I Forma-
tion is used for power running or
option run plays.
In addition, a number of plays in
the Goal Line playbook are based on
the I-Form, except that the receivers
and/or tight ends are pulled in closer
to the offensive line.
PISTOL
Perhaps the most notable offen-
sive formation innovation in recent
years, the pistol is a passing-oriented
formation developed by Nevada and
introduced in last year’s game.
This year, a few other teams have
The NCAA was originally formed in 1905 because of the need to regulate dangerous college football formations,
such as the flying wedge, which were responsible for numerous injuries and deaths in the sport during that time.
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MOST COMMON EMPTY SETS
Navy’s playbook relies heavily on
the fl exbone formation.
MOST COMMON FLEXBONE SETS
MOST COMMON I-FORM/POWER I SETS
Oregon has a few pistol formation
sets in its playbook this year.
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