FOOTBALL IS A GAME of cycles and trends. The hot trend in offensive football is to spread out the defense with 3, 4 or 5 receivers and air it out.

The best in our profession, the NFL, throws the ball now more than ever before.

Many colleges have abandoned their traditions. Oklahoma no longer runs the wishbone, USC no longer runs student-body right and the Big Ten throws the ball as much as the Pac Ten. Woody Hayes wouldn’t be comfortable with football today.

Double Wing Still Works
Football is, and always will be, a running game. Linemen will determine winners from losers and physical play will be a determining factor. This is especially true at the high school level.

We run a double wing offense that features a no-split line and wingbacks aligned at 45-degree angles to the tight ends. The fullback is aligned directly behind the quarterback within arm’s reach.

This offense has a complete package of misdirection plays, sweeps and play-action passes.

Initial Set, Philosophy

Double Wing Set.

DIAGRAM 1: Vary the formations slightly to give the offense a different look and keep the defense guessing. Each formation will demonstrate a huge offensive advantage vs. a 4-3 front.


Blocking schemes can vary, but usually in an odd front your players should double-team play side. Against even fronts, down block the play side.

Toss Play From The Double Wing Vs. 4-3

DIAGRAM 2:  The toss play is the bread and butter of the offense, making it virtually impossible to defend the whole package. Ask the skeptics to count the number of defenders between the defensive tackle and the defensive end. Including those players, the defense has 4, maybe 5 defenders. The offense has 7, plus the ball carrier.


The real power of the toss comes when the backside pullers (offensive guard and tackle) go with the FB and QB into the hole in unison. When done correctly, it looks like a mass of bodies resembling a rugby scrum with bulldozer strength and power.

The QB will reverse pivot and toss the ball to a wingback in motion.

Other blocking schemes could double-team the left DT or bring the right wing up to the line of scrimmage and double-team both left DT and left DE.

Toss Play From King Formation Vs. 4-3

DIAGRAM 3: Count the number of defenders in the DE area. There are 4. The offense has 6, plus the ball carrier.
This is a great formation if the DE is too strong for your FB to kick out. It is easier to down block him with the TE.
If the box area is getting a little too crowded or jammed, this play is a little more outside in its point of attack.


Toss Play From Air Force Formation Vs. 4-3

DIAGRAM 4: This formation can bring many various blocking schemes, but try to use the standard rule of down blocking with even fronts.


Again, the number of offensive players at the line outnumbers the defense, 6 players plus a ball carrier to 4 defenders.
Toss Play From

Unbalanced I Vs. 4-3

DIAGRAM 5: This play is a personal favorite because of its obvious power. The toss can be run to the right when the defense over-shifts to the heavy side.


7 offensive players plus a ball carrier vs. 4 or 5 defenders.