Chapter 5 - Offense Formations and Playbooks
There are several factors to consider when choosing an offensive formation and making adjustment to the formation's personnel: the down and yardage to go, your selected team's strengths and weaknesses, and--when playing a human opponent--the opposing defense's tendencies. This section covers offensive formations, packages, and reveals each Madden 08 NFL team playbook.
Offensive Formations and Packages
The list below provides tips on using each offensive formation based on situational decisions and team strategies.
- Goal Line: Every team playbook includes this formation: it's a short yardage formation, either two yards or under to go for a first down or on the opposing team's goal line. The quarterback sneak from goal line is generally effective and usually capable of picking up a couple yards at least; snap the ball quickly (don't let an opposing defense set up and plug gaps) and push forward and cover up the ball. Deceptive passing or play-action passing from goal line can be effective if the defense isn't on a heavy blitz.
- I Form: This is a versatile formation offering solid run plays as well as variations for the short-to-medium passing game. Use I-Form for teams with a strong blocking fullback, such as San Diego, Cincinnati, or Atlanta--all three of these teams have Crushing Run Blocker fullbacks. You can alsu use the Dual HB package to insert your team's second RB into the fullback position (great for teams like New Orleans, Carolina, Dallas, etc.) and use run or pass plays (sending the backs into the flat or on medium passing routes).
Tip: When on defense, the new receiver spotlight mode should be used in zone coverages. When you spotlight a receiver, defenders will pay more attention to the spotlighted receiver when he nears the zone. In man coverages, the defenders do not neglect their assignments to spotlight on a receiver; if you want double coverage either call a defensive formation and play with double coverage or use defensive playmaker.
- Strong I, Weak I: These formations are similar to I Form but the fullback is offset to the strong (side of the line of scrimmage with the tight end) or weak (side of the line of scrimmage without the tight end). Consider the same strategies as I Form--teams with skilled fullbacks or using two running backs in a run or pass situation.
- Far, Near: These formations are similar to Strong I and Weak I but the fullback is positioned alongside the running back. Far and Near aren't particularly common; find them in Seattle's playbook for instance. Use these formations as you would with Strong I, Weak I, and I Form--teams with strong fullbacks or in two RB sets.
- Split Backs: The two backs are lined up split behind the quarterback. The backs can reach the flat quickly for passing situations. The base formation uses a running back and fullback but you can use packages to insert a second running back to make it difficult for the defense to determine where you're going with the ball on a short passing play.
- Full House and Jumbo T: This formation is another rare set seen in a few playbooks, including Carolina and Dallas. The Full House features three backs behind the quarterback. You can use packages to alter the personnel (exchanging running backs for fullbacks for instance). The extra backs can provide blocking or use them in the passing game. It's also useful to disguise the direction of your run and who will be the runner given the number of options. Find Jumbo T in the "Run Heavy" playbook, which also features several variations of Full House. Jumbo T is similar to Full House with three backs; however, the three backs are lined perpendicular to the quarterback.
Tip: Make a mental note of your opponent's tendencies throughout the game. When does your opponent blitz? When does your opponent call run defenses or pass defenses? Observe the tendencies then plan your counters. Against heavy blitzing opponents, call passing plays with quick slants or outlet backs to get the ball out of the quarterback's hands as quickly as possible.
- Singleback: Unlike previous formations, there's only one back lined up behind the quarterback. This is a common and versatile formation. For run situations you can call singleback variations that include additional tight ends for blocking or in passing situations call singleback variations with more receivers. For run situations, singleback can be stronger for teams without a skilled fullback but better depth at the tight end position.
- Shotgun: This is generally a passing formation: the quarterback lines up off the center providing extra time to find opening receivers before facing the opposing rush. Shotgun can be a deceptive run formation, especially if you've called Shotgun with four receivers as defenses will usually select dime coverage to protect against the pass.
After selecting a formation, you can use package substitutions to further alter a formation's positioning and personnel. You can substitute a fullback for a second running back, move your weapon-laden WR around the formation into the slot or swap positions with the second receiver; adjust a star tight end into the slot; or place a Hands running back into the slot or wideout position. The list below covers the most common packages and lists tips for using each.
- Dual HB: For formations with two backs, such as I Form, Strong, Weak, Far, Near, and Shotgun 2RB, this package allows you to substitute your team's second running back in for the starting fullback. This is best for teams with two skilled running backs, such as New Orleans (Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush), Dallas (Marion Barber and Julius Jones), Jacksonville (Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew), and Carolina (DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams). You can run the second running back from fullback plays or use the package in passing plays where both backs offer outlet options in the flat or short-to-medium passing game.
- Jumbo Backfield: Essentially the opposite of Dual HB--this package substitutes your running back for the fullback. This package can be useful in short yardage situations and for teams with good fullbacks (San Diego, Tampa Bay, Cincinnati, Atlanta).
Tip: Be careful overusing special moves while carrying the ball. Performing jukes, spins, stiff arms, and hurdles can leave you more susceptible to big hits and costly fumbles. Use the cover ball button when defenders are approaching to ensure you maintain possession after a good run.
- WR Swap: Swap the primary and secondary receiver positions to alter their assigned pass routes. Could create mismatches against a defense that hasn't made defensive assignments for man coverage.
- WR Swap Strong: Places your best two receivers on the strong side then swaps their position (essentially placing your top receiver in the slot position).
- HB Slot and HB Wideout: If your selected team has a great pass-catching running back (such as Brian Westbrook of Philadelphia and Reggie Bush of New Orleans, both Hands running backs), use this package to position your starting running back into the slot or wideout position. This can create some good speed mismatches against a defense's third corner in the slot as well as open up new passing routes for your skilled running back in either the slot or wideout position.
- Strong Slot: Substitutes your best receiver into the slot position. Strong Slot is excellent for opening new routes for a weapon-laden receiver and putting that receiver up against new defenders--possibly a mismatch against a safety or even a linebacker. Move receivers like Marvin Harrison, Steve Smith, Chad Johnson, or Randy Moss around the field to give your star pass catcher more route options.
- TE Slot: Substitutes your tight end into the slot position. Use this package if your team has a good receiving tight end (Antonio Gates of San Diego, Tony Gonzalez of Kansas City, Todd Heap of Baltimore, Jeremy Shockey of New York Giants, or Alge Crumpler of Atlanta for instance) or plan to run in the formation toward the tight end--the tight end is usually a better blocker.
Tip: If you're playing an opponent who makes a lot of defensive movement changes before the snap then start snapping the ball quickly. Don't let him take the time to get everyone into perfect position. Also use the clock to your advantage. If you're up in points, allow the playclock to run down before snapping the ball. Take as much time off with each play to give your opponent as little time as possible to make a comeback.
- TE Swap: Switch tight end positions in formations with two tight ends. Also could be strong and weak.
- TE Backfield: Switched the tight end into the backfield. You can use this formation in run plays using the tight end to block or even in a short passing game to open up unique passing routes for teams with skilled tight ends.
- WR Strong, WR Strong Weak, and WR Bunch: Places your top receivers on the strong side of the formation. In Strong Weak, places your best two receivers on the same side in a multiple receiver set--for instance in a five receiver set. Bunch positions the top receivers into the "bunch" area of the formation.
- Big: Substitutes wide receivers for tight ends and fullbacks for a "big" formation. This could turn a bunch formation passing play into a solid running play with the increased blocking abilities of the tight ends and fullbacks.
- Strong Solo: In formations with multiple receivers on one side and one receiver on another, places your top receiver in the solo position.
- Heavy: A linemen subs for a tight end, optimum for extra blocking in lead blocker mode.
- Miami: On goal line, substitutes your receiver for a tight end and a defensive lineman for your tight end.
