A-11 Offense ??

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

They acknowledge that all 11 aren't eligible every play. What the arrows indicate is they shift different players to different sets, thus making the defense change their coverage.

As I said in my earlier post, the offense can not shift from this position to allow any of the covered players eligible. If a player is positioned as an interior lineman under the numbering exception he remains ineligible throughout the down regardless of how the team shifts.

The only possible way I can see this working is if the team originally lines up with everyone except the snapper lined up behind the line as a back and then stepping up to assume a position on the line.

I saw a team use this formation this year (actually saw the same team twice) but they didn't remove their linemen. During the pre-game conference with the coach we were told they throw a screen pass from this formation.

[BoomerSooner]

I think the idea behind it is that on play 1 using the formation above we have 20, 80, 10, 15, 85, 45 eligible, however, on play 2 using a different formation we could have 20, 80 40, 88, 25, and 45 eligible. It's probably a system that uses the 2 QB's, a center, and 8 WR's utilizing quick throws and misdirection to counter the absence of an O-line. The defense thus has difficulty countering with a standard defense of 4 DL 3 LB and 4 DB. Even with the right defensive personel on the field they still have to match up with the eligible receivers from play to play.

[Sonofanump]

Originally Posted by waltjp

the team originally lines up with everyone except the snapper lined up behind the line as a back and then stepping up to assume a position on the line.

This is the most important thing to remember when the team is shifting to make 7 on the line and determine who is ineligible. Once 20 and 45 are on the end and set, all players on the line are ineligible by position.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by Sonofanump

This is the most important thing to remember when the team is shifting to make 7 on the line and determine who is ineligible. Once 20 and 45 are on the end and set, all players on the line are ineligible by position.

Do they even have to set to be ineligible by position or do they just have to line up in scrimmage kick formation?

[RoyGardner]

I believe from what's previously been in the news about this "A-11" formation the players (except the snapper) all initially line up off the line. That leaves the maximum of 10 players as possible eligible receivers. Before the snap some subset of 6 of them shift up to the line which then defines the 7 lineman, and the 2 ends. At that time the 5 interior lineman become ineligible by formation. It basically means that until the final formation is set, which could be as late as 1 count before the snap, the defense is kept guessing as to which players will be eligible. In fact, depending on how they line up, the center could be on the end of the line and be eligible.