Center eligible?

[Mike Simonds]

The swinging gate is a great formation because it makes the defense have to respect the threat of a quick pass or run behind the wall of lineman near the sideline. Or they can throw or run to the lone flanker at the other side. The defense has to have two players over there just in case the QB decides to run. Also, the center can be an eligible receiver and this creates another player the defense has to cover.

Then of course, when the gate swings over and they go into a kicking formation, the defense is placed at a disadvantage because they cannot get set into a kick-blocking defense as quickly.

Swinging gate makes it tough for a 5 man crew to cover. What I've seen most crews do is that the BJ covers the goalposts and his first responsibility is to judge if the kick is above the crossbar, LJ stays home on the line. If its a kick the R moves behind the kicker to judge if the ball is between the uprights.