New Offensive Formation to Try - The Pistol

[Guild]

Not sure, but it's the shotgun with the running back behind the QB. The running back can be at full speed before he ever reaches the line of scrimmage

Basically you are right, but I don't think the QB lines up quite as far back as in the shotgun.

[Miaoww]

The downside is that the running back is about 15 yards deep.

[Ruff]

Not sure, but it's the shotgun with the running back behind the QB. The running back can be at full speed before he ever reaches the line of scrimmage

There's also supposed to be a "wing-back" to the QB's right, which is one of the people who can receive the hand off. Thus, the are in an "L" shape, and resemble a pistol.

[Proudiddy]

HC= John Fox

OC= Jeff Davidson

OP= "Full of fail"

lol

[Peppers90 NC]

one of these kinda threads

[Carolina Husker]

Definitely designed for the college game. Same reason the zone read is so effective in college and not used in the pros. My guess is that Dlineman and linebackers are too fast and too smart to not stop a runningback who's starting the play 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage.

[Delhommey]

Hasn't KC already used this formation in the pros with some amount of success?

Yes.

The Chiefs are using the Pistol formation to increase Thigpen's efficiency. Developed by Chris Ault of the Nevada Wolfpack, the Pistol is a mini-shotgun in which the quarterback stands about three yards behind center, waiting for the snap, while the tailback stands another three yards directly behind him (Fig. 1 shows a typical example of the formation the Chiefs use, with the addition of rookie fullback Mike Cox in an H-back look). It's a nice hybrid of the spread offense that most young quarterbacks find easier to run, and the power-running success that the NFL requires. Tight end Tony Gonzalez has been the main man in the Kansas City Pistol, finding open zones against defenses that are playing the Chiefs honest.

"Thigpen clearly works best out of the Pistol formation for several reasons. He lacks ideal height to play the position (6-2) and being able to play a few feet back from center helps to give him a better line of vision in order to scan the field.

"Because he doesn't have the strongest arm in the world, he's able to work the intermediate passing game easier this way. It gives him a little more time to get rid of the football. This is really evident against the better pass-rushing teams. The intermediate passing game has really been a boost to Gonzalez's productivity.

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/cover-3/2008/cover-3-kids-are-alright

[jasonluckydog]

We need the flea flicker.

[Delhommey]

I would hope that people understand this is not a complete change over, only something to use in 1-2 possessions a game.

It would address a lot of issues Clausen is currently having.

[Catdaddy]

There's also supposed to be a "wing-back" to the QB's right, which is one of the people who can receive the hand off. Thus, the are in an "L" shape, and resemble a pistol.

That may be a form of it, but the pistol is just like i said, shotgun with a RB deeper than the QB in a I formation

[magnus]

Yes.

and wasn't Chan fired in preseason that year? I mean, that's not the epitome of success.

And if us getting first downs converted with TEs outside formation isn't "creative" and our OC is "stupid" for not running the triple option or spread I'm OK with those things. Our problem is execution, not a lack of flashy stuff.

[CarolinaBlue34]

Used it on NCAA Football 09, it sucks.

[Kevin Greene]

If we picked up Plaxico Burress, wouldn't we have a head start in this Pistol thing?

[Boltergeist]

If we picked up Plaxico Burress, wouldn't we have a head start in this Pistol thing?

Nah, you'd just shoot yourself in the foot.