What about the A-11 offense?

The game of football has had its share of revolutions. From its origins in rugby-style play, to the wishbone, double-wing T, pro set, and the spread, we have continued to see the game change fundamentally on the offensive side. Today, we are amazed at the “Wildcat” and the seemingly endless possibilities it provides. The University of Oregon has taken its no-huddle offense to the next level, with seemingly indecipherable play cards held up on the sideline, along with forcing a defensive position that has no chance for adaptations during a drive.

In light of all of this, has anyone heard of the A-11 offense?

The A-11 offense was utilized by small high schools which didn’t have enough students to field a big, strong offensive line. So, they got rid of the need for linemen entirely by lining up with all 11 players wearing eligible numbers (1-49 and 80-99). Therefore, all players could line up anywhere on the field, as long as there were seven offensive players on the line of scrimmage.

The caveat was that for this to be legal, at least one player had to be seven yards deep at the snap. This is known as a “scrimmage kick” formation (or a punt or field goal formation to the layman) in high school rules. The A-11 offense usually had three interior linemen, two sets of three receivers to each side of the field, and two quarterbacks, one of which was seven yards deep. All players wore eligible numbers, so any of them could be potential receivers on every play. The trick for the defense and the referees was this: who lined up as the end man on the line of scrimmage, and who else lined up off the ball? Those players could run downfield to catch a pass, while the others were not allowed (ineligible man downfield penalty).

The A-11 offense has been outlawed at the high school level since February 2009, and a new rule has been added to the rulebook stating that the scrimmage kick formation is only allowed on 4^thst, 2^nd, and 3^rd downs, there must be at least five players in the offense which wear ineligible numbers. down. On 1

The existence (or non-existence) of the A-11 offense touches on some hot debate topics in the football world: What exactly is considered ‘deception’ and what is not? The play-action pass was once thought to be ‘deceptive’ by some, and has now become a staple of nearly every offensive system. Another hot topic: how valuable are linemen, really? We all know that speed kills, and if you can get your athletes in space, they can wreak havoc against a defense and put up points like gangbusters. Lastly, how valuable are “gimmick” plays, and should they even be considered “real football”? The Boise State Broncos have sprung onto the national scene in recent years, largely in part to their use of gimmick plays to beat more talented competition.

The game of football may someday never require a fullback or an offensive lineman, since the days of hard-pounding running up the middle are fading away, while the use of the fifth wide receiver has become commonplace. What new innovations will we see at the college and professional levels in the years to come? And how will the changes influence the game as a whole, and the character of the players at the high school level? Hopefully, the game will stay pure to its roots, with teamwork and selflessness heralded over individual glory. No one exemplifies that standard like an offensive lineman; to lose those big boys up front would affect not only the dynamics of the game, but also the culture and dignity of the men who can call themselves football players.

Jacque Henry