Link: Bama Wildcat Offense Article

[kausman]

http://www.tidesports.com/article/20090908/NEWS/909079890/1011?Title=Crimson-Tide-s-new-wrinkle-is-here-to-stay


Can anyone explain to me the difference between this setup, and when we used to put David Palmer in the backfield to take snaps?

 

[rgw]

Well, there isn't a HUGE difference but I'd say that there was less motion in the Palmer/Milons QB plays. The Wildcat is basically a typical inside zone run with the QB set wide and the tailback receiving a direct snap. It can use the jet sweep action to keep the backside of the defense stay honest.

 

[TideEngineer08]

The main thing is, the QB stays in the game but does not take the snap.

What Alabama did with David Palmer and Freddie Milons was not technically the "wildcat" as the QB would leave the game and we'd bring in an extra receiver to take Palmer's or Milons's place.

This makes the wildcat more multiple and dynamic, especially when the player to take the snap is a threat to throw the ball. It can catch the defense off guard when executed well.

 

[kausman]

Maybe we can confuse em pretty well. Try to get Ingram to pitch the ball to McElroy, who throws a pass to an open receiver.

 

[CrimsonDonald]

I was wondering if GMAC could catch the ball if thrown to him. If he is just out there to be out there to call the offense the wildcat, don`t you believe he may be wasted space as opposed to a reciever?
Just wondering.

 

[rgw]

The main thing is, the QB stays in the game but does not take the snap.

What Alabama did with David Palmer and Freddie Milons was not technically the "wildcat" as the QB would leave the game and we'd bring in an extra receiver to take Palmer's or Milons's place.

This makes the wildcat more multiple and dynamic, especially when the player to take the snap is a threat to throw the ball. It can catch the defense off guard when executed well.

Exactly, there are multiple threats out of the Wildcat:

• Tailback keeps and executes the standard zone run
• The tailback can hand off to the Jet sweeper for a stretch run against over-commitment inside
• Tailback pass to the TE when the safeties commit to the run
• Lateral back to the QB for a deep pass

 

[GreatDanish]

I was wondering if GMAC could catch the ball if thrown to him. If he is just out there to be out there to call the offense the wildcat, don`t you believe he may be wasted space as opposed to a reciever?
Just wondering.

Part of the value of the Wildcat is that your normal 11 is on the field. Your 11 huddle, then they line up in the Wildcat formation and snap the ball quickly, leaving about two seconds for the defense to adjust (since while you were huddling, they were assuming your normal formation).

If McElroy came off the field in place of BJ Scott, or something, the defense would be able to make their adjustments while we huddled, and would be better able to defend it.
That's my take anyway.

 

[mlh]

Part of the value of the Wildcat is that your normal 11 is on the field. Your 11 huddle, then they line up in the Wildcat formation and snap the ball quickly, leaving about two seconds for the defense to adjust (since while you were huddling, they were assuming your normal formation).

OK, but we didn't snap the ball quickly...

 

[KrAzY3]

OK, but we didn't snap the ball quickly...

Which is what Alabama needs to work on. By the time Alabama plays Arkansas, I expect to see a lot of the kinks worked out in the offense in general. If the Wildcat is going to be highly effective for Alabama they need to get it done quicker and I think everyone knows that. It's easy to forget that this was Alabama's first game, Ingram's first time running the wildcat, McElroy's first time as the #1 QB, new offensive linemen, etc... I'd expect things to speed up.

 

[uafootball92]

I was wondering if GMAC could catch the ball if thrown to him. If he is just out there to be out there to call the offense the wildcat, don`t you believe he may be wasted space as opposed to a reciever?
Just wondering.

Danish explained earlier, but yes, if GMAC were to catch the ball behind Ingram (or whoever was the "QB"), he could then throw it.

 

[kausman]

I was wondering if GMAC could catch the ball if thrown to him. If he is just out there to be out there to call the offense the wildcat, don`t you believe he may be wasted space as opposed to a reciever?
Just wondering.

The QB is an eligible receiver.

 

[TidePrideGA]

Here are some basic wildcat formations. This might give everyone a better knowledge of what the Wildcat really is....

Base Wildcat play

Speed Sweep

QB Counter

Split Zone

 

[GreatDanish]

Here are some basic wildcat formations. This might give everyone a better knowledge of what the Wildcat really is....

In addition to the diagrams, the most identifiable trait of the Wildcat is the lineup on the offensive line. Both tackles line up on one side of the line next to a guard, and on the other side of the center is a guard and a TE.

 

[TidePrideGA]

In addition to the diagrams, the most identifiable trait of the Wildcat is the lineup on the offensive line. Both tackles line up on one side of the line next to a guard, and on the other side of the center is a guard and a TE.

Yes its an unbalanced line. I think once we get the kinks worked out the wild elephant can be very effective for us.

 

[graydogg85]

Crimson Tide's new wrinkle is here to stay | TideSports.com | The Tuscaloosa News | Tuscaloosa, AL


Can anyone explain to me the difference between this setup, and when we used to put David Palmer in the backfield to take snaps?

The basic principle is the same - put an athletic player in the backfield at the QB position and give the defense an extra dimension to think about - but the schematics are pretty different. Palmer would line up under center, more often than not in a conventional "I" formation, and then he'd execute a three or five-step drop before immediately cutting back up the middle and looking for a seam. It was a basic play that has been featured in almost every playbook for the last 40-50 years, the classic "quarterback draw", but we ran it with an exceptionally fast, exceptionally shifty player and that's what made it work.

Our version of the "wildcat" on Saturday featured Ingram taking a direct snap in an empty shotgun set, usually with a pre-snap sweep from one of the flankers. He had the option to hand-off to the sweep man and create sort of an end-around play, or he could pull the ball down himself and run some variation of the inside zone play, or he could pull it down, cut outside and run sort of a read-option play with the sweep man.

I think probably the biggest differences between the two are the formations and the introduction of other elements like reads. Palmer was going to execute the drop and then pull it down and run, every time. It was an exceedingly simple play. Success hinged totally on Palmer's athleticism and his ability to find a gap in the line. Ingram is going to line up back there, check the defense and then do one of several things based on how they align. It's a more complex scheme with more elements and variations. I think it could be successful in time, but we'll have to get much better at blocking for it.

 

[BamaFossil]

Since this is now in Bama's playbook, hopefully we'll call it something besides the "wildcat". "Rogue Elephant" or "Wild Elephant" or "Rip Tide" or something like that.

 

[SimCastilleFan3]

Ill stick to calling it the wild tide....
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[RT3413]

Since this is now in Bama's playbook, hopefully we'll call it something besides the "wildcat". "Rogue Elephant" or "Wild Elephant" or "Rip Tide" or something like that.

I think this is sorta like a stray puppy... once you name it, you're going to keep it. At this point, I'd rather not name it.

 

[RedStar]

I think this is sorta like a stray puppy... once you name it, you're going to keep it. At this point, I'd rather not name it.

Nailed it!

 

[BamaAlum97]

Didn't Palmer typically take the snap under center and not in the shotgun?