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So in the Enos Era there's been a lot of talk about finally using motion in our offense - to the point where "motion, bro" has become the new "RPO, bro" as something everybody (including me) brings up but might not fully understand. So here's my take on some of the benefits of using pre-snap motion and shifts to maximize our offensive potential...
1) Motion changes the "picture" of the offense. Let's say we break the huddle with the following personnel grouping: 2 WR, 2 TE, 1 RB. We come to the line with the 2 TEs in-line on the strong side and the WRs lined up twins on the weakside. If the defense has watched any film of us running a play from this formation, they're already thinking about our tendencies. Let's say then we shift one TE to the opposite side (creating a new strong side) and the other TE to the backfield creating an I-formation look. Now the defense has to think about the plays we run from THAT formation as well. All this thinking takes time and creates hesitation. If we can catch a defense thinking, we've already won. Further, if we shift and then immediately snap the ball, the defense may not even have time to process the new formation - motion can be a form of tempo.
Example from CMU:
2) Motion flips the field. In the aforementioned TE shift (which incidentally I've seen on film from Enos at least 3 times lol), I mentioned we've created a new strong side by moving the TEs around. That shift may change the defense's coverage and gap responsibilities, again creating hesitation and "thought." All of a sudden a 3-tech becomes a 5-tech, or an over becomes an under, etc.
3) Motion creates mismatches and leverage. By moving a player around, you start to dictate a defense's potential coverage of that player. You also can overload a defensive front and simply outnumber defenders by shifting players around pre-snap. Let's say we want to take advantage of Brevin Jordan's size. Perhaps we break the huddle in that same 2 TE set, but now we motion him into the slot, where he's being covered by a DB or undersized LB. Or we want to take advantage of Jeff Thomas' speed by sending him in motion on a jet sweep (more on that later.) .
4) Motion creates new plays and sequences. In another thread, I looked at a series of plays from last year's Alabama team. Play #1 was a jet sweep, play #2 was a fake jet sweep RB counter, and play #3 was a fake jet sweep/fake counter/playaction pass. Once that WR starts moving pre-snap, the defense has to start "thinking" about the jet sweep, again creating hesitation and misdirection. So now in addition to the 3-4 plays we can run out of a particular formation, by adding a shift or motion that opens up 3-4 MORE play possibilities, and so on. The more options a defense has to consider, the slower they'll play, and the more easily they can be fooled by misdirection. Enos loves counter plays - getting the whole offense flowing one direction, then sending the ballcarrier away from the flow. Motion gets a defense to think about that "flow" pre-snap, and potentially start out on literally the wrong foot.
Example of play #3 from Bama:
Look at the poor LBs trying to read and react to this play. I think the MLB changed directions three times before trying to make a play on the RB in the flat. That's how you keep a defense thinking and guessing.
A word on "splits": In addition to actual pre-snap movement, another way Enos creates leverage in his offense is simply by how the formation lines up, particularly the WRs. By lining up in bunch or stacked formations, he can create a numbers advantage in either the running or passing game - this is especially useful on screens and tosses, both of which Enos loves to run. An example of using formation splits to create an advantage could be a 4 WR set, but the entire formation stays from hashmark to sideline - a "tight" formation that creates defensive crowding and confusion, especially when the slot WRs start crossing...
Bama 2 TE/2 WR close splits:
Speaking of flow - look at the playfake and the OL blocking in the above video. Everyone is selling the zone run and see how Arkansas' LBs all flow that way? The short-side TE even chip blocks and then turns and leaks into the flat uncovered. Once Tua rolls out opposite the flow, there's that super-easy high-low read with half a field and BOTH options are open, all because the play design got the entire front 7 moving in one direction. Pitch and catch all day.
A final caveat: Motion in and of itself does not create a successful offense. Like the oft-misused "RPO", it's not a scheme. Motion and shifts by themselves don't put points on the board. Defending multiple looks and shifts can be as easy as just sending more guys than blockers can handle, or playing sound gap assignments and ignoring the pre-snap "noise." Motion is not a cure-all - we still have to play good fundamental football. However, by using motion and shifts and finally dragging our offense into the 21st century, we at least have the potential to do that which we've all been clamoring for in nearly two decades of offensive ineptitude - get our athletes in space and in stride.
1) Motion changes the "picture" of the offense. Let's say we break the huddle with the following personnel grouping: 2 WR, 2 TE, 1 RB. We come to the line with the 2 TEs in-line on the strong side and the WRs lined up twins on the weakside. If the defense has watched any film of us running a play from this formation, they're already thinking about our tendencies. Let's say then we shift one TE to the opposite side (creating a new strong side) and the other TE to the backfield creating an I-formation look. Now the defense has to think about the plays we run from THAT formation as well. All this thinking takes time and creates hesitation. If we can catch a defense thinking, we've already won. Further, if we shift and then immediately snap the ball, the defense may not even have time to process the new formation - motion can be a form of tempo.
Example from CMU:
2) Motion flips the field. In the aforementioned TE shift (which incidentally I've seen on film from Enos at least 3 times lol), I mentioned we've created a new strong side by moving the TEs around. That shift may change the defense's coverage and gap responsibilities, again creating hesitation and "thought." All of a sudden a 3-tech becomes a 5-tech, or an over becomes an under, etc.
3) Motion creates mismatches and leverage. By moving a player around, you start to dictate a defense's potential coverage of that player. You also can overload a defensive front and simply outnumber defenders by shifting players around pre-snap. Let's say we want to take advantage of Brevin Jordan's size. Perhaps we break the huddle in that same 2 TE set, but now we motion him into the slot, where he's being covered by a DB or undersized LB. Or we want to take advantage of Jeff Thomas' speed by sending him in motion on a jet sweep (more on that later.) .
4) Motion creates new plays and sequences. In another thread, I looked at a series of plays from last year's Alabama team. Play #1 was a jet sweep, play #2 was a fake jet sweep RB counter, and play #3 was a fake jet sweep/fake counter/playaction pass. Once that WR starts moving pre-snap, the defense has to start "thinking" about the jet sweep, again creating hesitation and misdirection. So now in addition to the 3-4 plays we can run out of a particular formation, by adding a shift or motion that opens up 3-4 MORE play possibilities, and so on. The more options a defense has to consider, the slower they'll play, and the more easily they can be fooled by misdirection. Enos loves counter plays - getting the whole offense flowing one direction, then sending the ballcarrier away from the flow. Motion gets a defense to think about that "flow" pre-snap, and potentially start out on literally the wrong foot.
Example of play #3 from Bama:
Look at the poor LBs trying to read and react to this play. I think the MLB changed directions three times before trying to make a play on the RB in the flat. That's how you keep a defense thinking and guessing.
A word on "splits": In addition to actual pre-snap movement, another way Enos creates leverage in his offense is simply by how the formation lines up, particularly the WRs. By lining up in bunch or stacked formations, he can create a numbers advantage in either the running or passing game - this is especially useful on screens and tosses, both of which Enos loves to run. An example of using formation splits to create an advantage could be a 4 WR set, but the entire formation stays from hashmark to sideline - a "tight" formation that creates defensive crowding and confusion, especially when the slot WRs start crossing...
Bama 2 TE/2 WR close splits:
Speaking of flow - look at the playfake and the OL blocking in the above video. Everyone is selling the zone run and see how Arkansas' LBs all flow that way? The short-side TE even chip blocks and then turns and leaks into the flat uncovered. Once Tua rolls out opposite the flow, there's that super-easy high-low read with half a field and BOTH options are open, all because the play design got the entire front 7 moving in one direction. Pitch and catch all day.
A final caveat: Motion in and of itself does not create a successful offense. Like the oft-misused "RPO", it's not a scheme. Motion and shifts by themselves don't put points on the board. Defending multiple looks and shifts can be as easy as just sending more guys than blockers can handle, or playing sound gap assignments and ignoring the pre-snap "noise." Motion is not a cure-all - we still have to play good fundamental football. However, by using motion and shifts and finally dragging our offense into the 21st century, we at least have the potential to do that which we've all been clamoring for in nearly two decades of offensive ineptitude - get our athletes in space and in stride.
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