Football Wild Cat Offense: How To Use It

The Wild Cat Offensive Formation is becoming more popular each season as more and more teams at all levels find more ways to install it in their offensive game plan.

This article will focus on some of the advantages the Wild Cat brings to the table. We will be looking at it through the eyes of the #3 Boise State Broncos and one of most potent offenses in the last decade.

First the Broncos favor using the Wild Cat Offense more as a red zone offense than at any other time in the game.

The Bronco formation features a running quarterback in the shotgun. This strategy allows for variations from the quarterback keeper, handoffs for between that tackles and fly sweeps.

In the Boise State Broncos case the starting quarterback is not a runner so when they call for the formation, he is switched to wide receiver. This takes the opposing corner out of the play. If you have a QB who is not a runner, the corner must go with him if he runs a pass route or he can do what the Bronco QB did last week. He lined up wide to the left and the corner was right on top of him, after that ball was snapped Kellen Moore just stood there till the play was over and so did the cornerback, staring Moore down while the play went right for a score.

Why Use The Wild Cat Formation In The Red Zone:

According to Coach Petersen this gives the offense several advantages.
1.The defense is bunched up tighter on the shorter field.
2.A quarterback run allows for 10 blockers versus 9 if the ball is handed off.
3.The safeties are tighter and with the numbers imbalance this kind of helps to neutralize things.

Calling The Signals:

1.Most quarterbacks have a certain rhythm to their cadence calling that the offensive line is used to.
2.Try using the silent count with hand signals so as not to throw the offensive line off and get a 5 yard movement or offsides penalty.

In conclusion Boise State uses the Wild Cat Offense formations in the red zone because it works. They catch the defense off balance because they are bunched up tighter. They are able to have 10 blockers with the quarterback as the runner and last week in the red zone they ran 8 plays for 38 yards and 3 scores.

If you want to increase your scoring opportunities in the red zone you might consider the Wild Cat Formation. There are many DVDs demonstrating different ways to run this formation. Use the links below to see the list of videos available and decide for yourself if they can help you.

Wild Cat Offense