Since offense tends to be the most exciting facet of football (my sincerest apologies to the defensive pundits), this article shall focus on some of the basic plays that an offense will employ in an attempt to quickly and methodically move the ball down the field, culminating in a touchdown, ultimately.

Assuming that you have a smidgen of knowledge about the game and the scoring, most offenses tend to run several plays in an attempt to read the defensive schemes of the opposition. The offensive coordinator will run many plays only on specific downs, or with specific yardage needing to be amassed for a first down.

Most offenses tend to want to establish the run, or at least present a facade that they have every intention of running. This keeps the defense honest, and freezes the linebackers momentarily. Teams that like to pass often use a shotgun formation hoping to provide enough breathing room for the quarterback to pick apart a defense. Passing out of the I-formation freezes the defense and allows the running backs to also become offensive weapons out of the backfield.

Screen passes are an effective means of producing potentially big plays. The screen pass works best if the defense assumes a passing play downfield is about to occur. Offenses study defenses all week prior to gameday, and therefore will run the plays that they feel will be the most successful. Reciprocally, defenses study the opposing offense all week in an attempt to force them into running plays that they will be ready for, and not the big game-breaking plays the offense may hope to run.

Running sweeps can be effective if you have the right back. Somebody with tremendous speed and explosiveness can find a seam and expose it into a yawning chasm. Each play a team runs is usually in anticipation of the next play to run. Offensive coordinators are always looking ahead to the next play.

Running the two minute offense keeps the defensive players on the field, unable to change for fresher teammates. The two minute offense also allows the offensive players the chance to pick apart a defense and keep them guessing. The defensive coordinator is also held at bay, unable to alert his players to potential upcoming plays.

Passing plays to the sidelines are always effective because the passes have a lesser tendency to be intercepted. They tend to be thrown where only the receiver can catch it.

Once the basic plays are understood, and why they have been run, then the trickery can commence. Offenses keep it simply until the defense has been lulled into submission, then they strike with a quick lightning bolt. Once the big play has occurred, the defense tends to sit back on its heels, allowing the offense to pick apart a few yards at a time with significant ease.

Learn more about this author, Bobby Coles.
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