Fake FG, long pass mid {BH} - This is my version of Amoebic Shock, especially prepared for fourth down.
Fake FG, pass lf {MWH} - This is a fake field goal in which the fullback takes the snap and lobs the ball to the halfback, who is {hopefully} open because of the close pattern he runs with the tight end, who draws off coverage.
Fake FG, run rt {MWH} - This is the fake field goal that the Germans used in AOFL Season6 when close to the goaline. It consists of a footrace to the right corner between whoever is guarding the sweep and the very quick halfback. The halfback, who receivers the snap directly, get the advantage of blockers, and with most of the defense trying to block a kick that is not happening, the halfback can often get into the endzone for a quick six points!
Fake FG, short pass lf {BH} - This is a quick slant in to the left, with a fake handoff to the halfback to freeze the linebackers.
Flunkie Kickoff {JM} - The famous "F" stands for Flunkies, finesse {on offense} and fear {on defense}.
Onsides Kick, Middle {MWH} - Working against both schools of thought concerning onside coverage when I first developed this onsides kick {against those who cover the sidelines and those who cover with man to man coverage} this bounce-tee kick really scared people at the end of AOFL Season4. In effect, the kick bounces short and in the middle, rendering the ball uncontrollable. This is my response to the unrealistic 'onsides in the air' that PMFB has given us. Real onsides bounce around. By the way, there are now three schools of onsides coverage; those who cover the sidelines, those who cover man to man, and those who cover the sidelines and the middle!
Onsides Kick, Sideline {MWH} - Utilizing a pre-kick shift to the weak side, ala Ed Peters' famous Brew Crew of AOFL Season3, this onsides kick will mutilate a team that covers onsides kicks with man to man coverage.
Punt, corner {BH} - A standard punt, but with the aim of the punt looking to trap the offense into a 'coffin corner.'
Punt, endzone {MWH} - A good example of a well-protected punt from your own end zone. By kicking it far and to the sidelines, you may be able to prevent a good return.
Punt, protected {MWH} - A well-protected punt, with the running backs running downfield through the middle after blocking. A good general purpose punt.
{Aachen Formation/MWH} - This is one of the Germans prime formations. It is a very good, versatile formation for use with either the pass or the run.
{Double Wing Formation/DCA} - This is the Gunslingers heavy duty running formation. The halfback and the fullback are interchangeable here. This formation is perfect for pounding the ball down the field.
{Far Formation/ICK} - The fullback lines up behind the quarterback and the halfback is split to the weakside. A good all-purpose formation.
{Hannover Formation/MWH} - This is the grandfather of German formations. It is an extremely flexible formation that is great for either the run or the pass.
{Near Formation/ICK} - The fullback lines up behind the quarterback and the halfback is split to the strongside. A good all-purpose formation.
{Notre Dame Box Formation/ICK} - Legendary Notre Dame coach Knute Rockne devised the Notre Dame box about 1920. The Fighting Irish would shift from a primitive T-formation to their box and then take off on an end run. Another fine power running formation.
{Power I Formation/ICK} - The I-formation was invented in the 1950's by an obscure college coach named Tom Nugent. Hank Stram, who coached the Kansas City Chiefs to two of the first four Super Bowl games, was one of the first to use it in pro football. In the early 1970's other teams quickly copied the Chiefs' success. Stram often put his tight end in the I. The ballcarrier sets up deep, which allows him to 'read' the blocks ahead of him and pick the hole he wants to run to. The I was Earl Campbell's trademark with the Houston Oilers, and then became Eric Dickerson's favorite formation with the Los Angeles Rams and the Indianapolis Colts. A wide variety of fakes can be used in the I because the ball is screened until the last second. This formation is particularly effective on running plays up the middle or offtackle. This version of the formation features two tight ends for the power running aspect of a coach's gameplan.
{Power T Formation/ICK} - The modern T formation was first used by the Chicago Bears in 1930. It put the quarterback under the center for the first time. The T-formation was really popularized after the Chicago Bears used it to defeat the Washington Redskins 73-0 in the 1940 NFL championship game. It has become the basis for a great number of offensive strategies. This version has two-tight ends, specifically designed for power running.
{Pro Set Formation/ICK} - The Pro Set is basically a one back set, much like the Hannover formation, but split out for better passing opportunities.
{Single Wing Formation/ICK} - The single win was used for almost fifty years after it was invented {around 1906} by Pop Warner. The single wing enabled the offense to trick the defese with a lot of spins and reverses, but its main value was in concentrating great power at the point of attack on running plays.
{Swing Slot Formation/MWH} - A slot formation, perfect for either the run or the pass.
{Tight Slant Formation/DCA} - This is a modified form of the T-formation. I slanted the backfield so that the lead blocker was closer to the line of scrimmage and the intended ball carrier is the farthest back. This really helps to concentrate the blocking at the point of attack.
{Tight Wing Formation/DCA} - This is one of the formations that the Gunslingers rode to the AOFL Season6 Sooper Bowl with. The halfback is set deep with the fullback about four yards deep as a possible lead blocker. The right side has two tight ends for the best possible blocking match-ups. A perfect {in my opinion} running formation. You can run the dive, offtackle, counter tre, and sweep out of this formation. If you split the ends out, the formation becomes suitable for passing as well.
{Tight Y Formation/ICK} - This is an unusual formation that lends itself to deception and trickery as well as a good solid running attack.
{Trips Weak Formation/MWH} - Three wide receivers, close together on the weak side, can flood zones and wreak havoc, but it is not suited to rushing at all. 'Trips' is the abbreviated form of 'triplet,' referring to the three wide receivers close together on one side or the other.
{Wide Wishbone Formation/MWH} - A great running formation. The 'wide' refers to both the linemen and the running backs. It forms the basis of the feared 'Triple-Option Attack.' The option consists of: One, handing off to the slanting fullback. Two, the quarterback keeping the ball and running. Three, the quarterback stretches the defense and laterals to the trailing halfback. Often, these options will be run to the weak side. Unfortunately, in the current scheme of PlayMaker Football, a pure rushing attack is not particularily successful.
{Wing Strong Formation/MWH} - The fullback and tight end are on the same side and the wide receiver is pulled in to play flanker-back. This is a good running formation.
{Wishbone Formation/MWH} - This formations major strength is the three large backs in the backfield {the tight end is substituting as a fullback}, and the wide receivers are available for the pass. It is a compact formation, and therefore easier to defend against, but it also opens up four options for the offense; sweeps with lead blocking, dives, quarterback bootlegs, and the flanker reverse.
Portions of the above text come from The Official Pro Football Hall of Fame Playbook, by Rick Korch, published by Simon & Schuster Inc.
