AS AN OFFENSIVE coordinator, my four main priorities when developing an offensive scheme are to:

1.    Keep the offense simple.

2.    Make the offense interesting for the players.

3.    Require the defensive players to hesitate and think instead of react.

4.    Make the job of game-planning to defend our offense difficult for the opposing coaches.

Offensive coaches sometimes sacrifice the first priority by trying to throw in just one more formation, package, wrinkle or play to catch the other team off-guard. The Wisconsin-I package, however, can accomplish all four goals and be implemented in less than half a practice.

The Wisconsin-I formation is run from a double tight-end set with a quarterback under center and all three running backs (two RBs and a fullback) stacked behind one of the TEs and spaced 2 feet behind one another.

DIAGRAM 1: Wisconsin-I Sweep. This sweep play is best run on the QBs first sound. The TE and FB double-team the play-side defensive end, while RB1 seals inside. RB2 picks up the remaining defender (which is usually a cornerback).


The QB keeps the ball, follows the sweep blocking and races around the end while the rest of the team blocks the backside.

Wisconsin-I Pass

DIAGRAM 2: Wisconsin-I Pass. This pass play was designed to mimic the sweep play and is also run on the first sound by the QB. The line pass blocks while the TE and FB double-team the play-side DE. 


RB1 leads RB2 as a shield, blocking around the end. RB1 continues running deep with a fly route while RB2 runs a 10-yard hitch route.

The QB rolls right as if to run the sweep but pulls up and throws to the open receiver (usually RB2). The QB should always look for the run option as well.

If the linebacker blitzes, it will open up an easy dump pass to RB2. If the safety steps up to play the run, the QB will usually find RB1 open deep downfield on the fly pattern.
Wisconsin-I Sneak

DIAGRAM 3: Wisconsin-I Sneak. This is by far my favorite play in the package. This play has no snap count, but is initiated when the QB gives a nudge to the center’s “exchange zone” with the knuckles of his top hand.


The team lines up in the ready position, but only the center and QB move on the snap — everyone else stays motionless. By the time the defense has figured out that the ball is moving, the QB is 5 yards downfield.

We used this play in last season’s championship game on a 4th-and-3 situation and it turned into a 42-yard touchdown run.

The Wisconsin-I isn’t new, but it hasn’t been widely seen for a long time either. The idea behind it is simple and the formation is unconventional enough to throw an opponent off their defensive gameplan.

Players love practicing this formation and they’ll ask you every August when you plan on putting it in.