A pro-style offense in American football is any offensive scheme that resembles those predominantly used at the professional level of play in the National Football League (NFL), in contrast to those typically used at the collegiate or high school level. Pro-style offenses are fairly common at top-quality colleges but much less used at the high school level. The term should not be confused with a pro set, which is a specific formation that is used by some offenses at the professional level.
Pro football
Generally, pro-style offenses are more complex than typical college or high school offenses. They are balanced, requiring offensive lines that are adept at both pass and run blocking, quarterbacks (QBs) with good decision-making abilities, and running backs (RBs) who are capable of running between the tackles. Offenses that fall under the pro-style category include the West Coast offense, the Air Coryell offense, and the Erhardt-Perkins offensive system.
Often, pro style offenses use certain formations much more commonly than the air raid, run and shoot, flexbone, spread, pistol, or option offenses. Pro-style offenses typically use the fullback (FB) and TEs much more commonly than offenses used at the collegiate or high school levels.
Part of the complexity of the offense is that teams at the professional level often employ multiple formations and are willing to use them at any point during an actual game. One example might be that a team uses a Strong I formation run (FB lined up where the TE is located on the line of scrimmage) on 1st Down followed up by a running play out of the Ace formation on second down before attempting a pass on 3rd down out of a two-WR shotgun formation.
Another aspect of the complexity is that the running game is primarily built on zone blocking or involves a power run scheme. Both of these require an offensive line that is very athletic, one play they could be trying to zone block a Linebacker, and the following one could be power blocking a defensive line. Most of the blocking schemes involve a series of rules, or a system in which they operate their blocks. The passing game as a result often employs play-action, often with the QB dropping back from under center, as a means of passing the ball while building on the running game.
Coaches who make the transition from the NFL to the NCAA as head coaches often bring with them their pro-style offenses. Such examples include Charlie Weis (former HC at Kansas), Dave Wannstedt (former HC at Pittsburgh), Bill O'Brien (former HC at Penn State). One positive aspect of employing a pro-style offense is that it can help players make transitions from the college level to the professional level quicker as a result of their familiarity with the system's complexity.
Typical pro-style formationsEdit
Single set back formation: Is probably the most prominent Pro-Style offensive formation, often being referred to as an Ace formation. It typically involves 1 running back in the backfield with a Tight End lined up on the line of scrimmage with 3 receivers out wide. There are variations of the formation where a secondary Tight End or a flanked full back can replace one of the Receivers.
I formation: Another standard formation with 2 WRs on the outside and a RB lined up behind a FB and the QB who is under center. Tweaks including shifting the FB to the left or right side behind the guard.
Shotgun formation: One difference is that often the shotgun is used as a three-WR formation with a TE lined up inside to help block in pass protection. RBs can also line up next to the QB to help pick up blitzes.
^"Pro Football Statistics and History - Pro-Football-Reference.com". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
October 15, 2023
style, offense, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, february, 2. This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Pro style offense news newspapers books scholar JSTOR February 2017 Learn how and when to remove this template message A pro style offense in American football is any offensive scheme that resembles those predominantly used at the professional level of play in the National Football League NFL in contrast to those typically used at the collegiate or high school level Pro style offenses are fairly common at top quality colleges but much less used at the high school level The term should not be confused with a pro set which is a specific formation that is used by some offenses at the professional level Pro footballGenerally pro style offenses are more complex than typical college or high school offenses They are balanced requiring offensive lines that are adept at both pass and run blocking quarterbacks QBs with good decision making abilities and running backs RBs who are capable of running between the tackles Offenses that fall under the pro style category include the West Coast offense the Air Coryell offense and the Erhardt Perkins offensive system Often pro style offenses use certain formations much more commonly than the air raid run and shoot flexbone spread pistol or option offenses Pro style offenses typically use the fullback FB and TEs much more commonly than offenses used at the collegiate or high school levels Part of the complexity of the offense is that teams at the professional level often employ multiple formations and are willing to use them at any point during an actual game One example might be that a team uses a Strong I formation run FB lined up where the TE is located on the line of scrimmage on 1st Down followed up by a running play out of the Ace formation on second down before attempting a pass on 3rd down out of a two WR shotgun formation Another aspect of the complexity is that the running game is primarily built on zone blocking or involves a power run scheme Both of these require an offensive line that is very athletic one play they could be trying to zone block a Linebacker and the following one could be power blocking a defensive line Most of the blocking schemes involve a series of rules or a system in which they operate their blocks The passing game as a result often employs play action often with the QB dropping back from under center as a means of passing the ball while building on the running game Coaches who make the transition from the NFL to the NCAA as head coaches often bring with them their pro style offenses Such examples include Charlie Weis former HC at Kansas Dave Wannstedt former HC at Pittsburgh Bill O Brien former HC at Penn State One positive aspect of employing a pro style offense is that it can help players make transitions from the college level to the professional level quicker as a result of their familiarity with the system s complexity Typical pro style formations EditSingle set back formation Is probably the most prominent Pro Style offensive formation often being referred to as an Ace formation It typically involves 1 running back in the backfield with a Tight End lined up on the line of scrimmage with 3 receivers out wide There are variations of the formation where a secondary Tight End or a flanked full back can replace one of the Receivers I formation Another standard formation with 2 WRs on the outside and a RB lined up behind a FB and the QB who is under center Tweaks including shifting the FB to the left or right side behind the guard Shotgun formation One difference is that often the shotgun is used as a three WR formation with a TE lined up inside to help block in pass protection RBs can also line up next to the QB to help pick up blitzes NFL teams that used the pro style offense EditStart End Team Head coach Offensive coordinator1984 1984 Minnesota Vikings Les Steckel Jerry Burns1997 1999 Tennessee Oilers Titans Jeff Fisher Les Steckel2000 2001 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tony Dungy Les Steckel2001 Minnesota Vikings Dennis Green Sherman Lewis2001 2005 Minnesota Vikings Mike Tice Sherman Lewis and Scott Linehan2011 2013 Tennessee Titans Mike Munchak Chris Palmer and Dowell Loggains2012 2012 Chicago Bears Lovie Smith Mike Tice2012 2013 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Greg Schiano Mike Sullivan 1 References Edit Pro Football Statistics and History Pro Football Reference com Pro Football Reference com Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Pro style offense amp oldid 1062052891, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
