YOU CAN’T DESIGN a defensive game plan for the double-wing offense unless you understand what it’s attacking.
The double-wing formation is a compressed double tight-end, double-wing formation with tight splits, usually spaced foot to foot. This formation forces the defense to cover 10 running gaps with huge flank areas. The two TEs and two wing backs result in a four-receiver passing game, and the two WBs, fullback and quarterback give the offense four potential ball carriers.

X    The Toss, Super Power. This play attacks the off-tackle hole with 10 players. It utilizes double-teams at the point of attack, a kick-out block by the FB and the OG, OT and QB leading through the hole. The RB follows his lead blockers and looks to cut back or kick it outside. The RB is usually hidden behind all the blockers.

X    The Trap. Features the FB taking the ball up the middle, behind the trapping OG. The linemen do not block the down linemen, but instead attack the linebackers. This allows the double-wing team to far outnumbered the LBs. The RB and QB try to lull the defense into thinking it’s a toss play.

X    The Reverse. A counter to the toss play, the RB gets the pitch from the QB and gives an inside handoff to the other wing. The other wing follows the OG, OT and FB on the reverse.

X    The Spin. This is another counter to the toss play. Like the reverse, the RB fakes the toss play. The difference is that the QB spins around him like he’s pitching the ball — but instead gives an inside reverse to the other wing. This play is blocked the same way as the reverse play, with a kickout by the OG, while the FB and OT pull through.

X    The Buck Sweep. This play has the FB going opposite the sweep. This dive-away is supposed to keep the LBs at home. The play has the QB faking a dive to the FB and then handing the sweep to the WB, who follows both OGs on the sweep. This play is effective because most defenses stack the inside to stop the Toss or Super-Power play.

X    Buck-Sweep Boot Leg. This play is run when no one covers the QB’s fake off the Buck Sweep. The play-action pass is designed to flood a pass-coverage area. When the double-wing teams see a defense commit its secondary to run force, they fake the toss and throw the play-action pass. Usually it’s a 2-man route with the WB running a flat and the TE running a deep corner. Many double-wing teams have different pass schemes but they usually attack the same area.