Over the next several weeks, I will be writing about our PAT/FG unit, I call it the "Wild Thing PAT." We have always been a muddle huddle team, but a few years ago after reading some people’s thoughts on www.coachhuey.com, I decided to implement a new style of muddle. The year after that, we decided to install the "Navy" or "Unbalanced" PAT formation.
Muddle Huddle, swinging gate, and the lonesome pole cat are different terms for an alignment that many coaches use when preparing for a point after touchdown. (PAT). The specifics may vary with the coach, but the basics are all the same. There will be a center over the ball; one to two players will be behind the snapper in a position to catch the snap, either directly or by shotgun snap; finally, the offensive line will be aligned 5-10 yds to the right or left of the snapper with one eligible player behind them in a position to catch a direct snap. Many teams also like to put one eligible receiver on the opposite side of the line to go out for a pass. If the defense does not "cover" the muddle huddle or the receiver, the ball can be snapped to the eligible man behind the OL for a 2 pt run, or snapped to the QB so he can throw to the WR for a 2 pt pass. In a PAT situation, the players will shift to their PAT/FG formation if the defense aligns themselves and run a normal PAT/FG kick. Our "Wild Thing" PAT incorporates these ideas, and allows our players to spontaneously align themselves before the PAT attempt to create a wide variety of looks. Instead of consistently going to one side of the field, as many teams do, for the muddle, the players are given simple rules that allow them to align anywhere they wish on the line of scrimmage to confuse the defense
We installed the full "Wild Thing" PAT package with 3 games left in the 2008 season. That year, we were 2 for 4 on 2 point conversion attempts: In 2009, we installed the full package during fall camp and we were able to convert on 100% of all passes and 66% of all snaps to the right or left. The full "Wild Thing" package added another dimension to our PAT. It gave us a lot of flexibility to run fakes, limited the number of block attempts by forcing teams to prepare for an unusually pre-shift and post-shift alignment, and added another scoring threat to our PAT team when our kicking might have been up to par.
We use two types of muddle Alignments and an unbalanced line on PAT and FG kicks. The first muddle huddle is called Zoo. The players will align in a typical muddle as described in the table below. The 2nd muddle alignment we use is called "Jungle." A "Jungle" call tells the X he is to line up off the line on the right hash facing the S. His left foot should be on the 5 yd line and his body facing the S. The L and R line up in their normal alignment, as do the Snapper, Holder and Kicker. The rest of the team (the OL) may line up anywhere on the LOS that they would like as long as they are not outside the Ror the . We can run all normal fakes from "Jungle". We can also snap the ball to the X on the right with a "Rhino" call. The key to the "Jungle" call is for your line to line up in as many different alignments as possible.
Basic Concept:
Muddle Huddle, swinging gate, and the lonesome pole cat are different terms for an alignment that many coaches use when preparing for a point after touchdown. (PAT). The specifics may vary with the coach, but the basics are all the same. There will be a center over the ball; one to two players will be behind the snapper in a position to catch the snap, either directly or by shotgun snap; finally, the offensive line will be aligned 5-10 yds to the right or left of the snapper with one eligible player behind them in a position to catch a direct snap. Many teams also like to put one eligible receiver on the opposite side of the line to go out for a pass. If the defense does not "cover" the muddle huddle or the receiver, the ball can be snapped to the eligible man behind the OL for a 2 pt run, or snapped to the QB so he can throw to the WR for a 2 pt pass. In a PAT situation, the players will shift to their PAT/FG formation if the defense aligns themselves and run a normal PAT/FG kick. Our "Wild Thing" PAT incorporates these ideas, and allows our players to spontaneously align themselves before the PAT attempt to create a wide variety of looks. Instead of consistently going to one side of the field, as many teams do, for the muddle, the players are given simple rules that allow them to align anywhere they wish on the line of scrimmage to confuse the defense
By the numbers:
We installed the full "Wild Thing" PAT package with 3 games left in the 2008 season. That year, we were 2 for 4 on 2 point conversion attempts: In 2009, we installed the full package during fall camp and we were able to convert on 100% of all passes and 66% of all snaps to the right or left. The full "Wild Thing" package added another dimension to our PAT. It gave us a lot of flexibility to run fakes, limited the number of block attempts by forcing teams to prepare for an unusually pre-shift and post-shift alignment, and added another scoring threat to our PAT team when our kicking might have been up to par.
Alignments:
We use two types of muddle Alignments and an unbalanced line on PAT and FG kicks. The first muddle huddle is called Zoo. The players will align in a typical muddle as described in the table below. The 2nd muddle alignment we use is called "Jungle." A "Jungle" call tells the X he is to line up off the line on the right hash facing the S. His left foot should be on the 5 yd line and his body facing the S. The L and R line up in their normal alignment, as do the Snapper, Holder and Kicker. The rest of the team (the OL) may line up anywhere on the LOS that they would like as long as they are not outside the Ror the . We can run all normal fakes from "Jungle". We can also snap the ball to the X on the right with a "Rhino" call. The key to the "Jungle" call is for your line to line up in as many different alignments as possible.
Zoo PAT Alignment
Pos | Stance | Alignment |
Y | 2 Point | 1 foot split from OT, feet even w/ OT |
OT | 2 Point | 1 foot split from IT, feet even w/ IT |
IT | 2 Point | 1 foot split from LG, feet even w/ LG |
LG | 2 Point | 1 foot split from RG, feet even w/ RG |
S | 2 Point Hand over ball | Over Ball |
RG | 2 Point | 1 foot split from X, feet even w/ X |
X | 2 Point | Right foot on left hash, toes on S’s toes, facing GL |
L | 2 Point | 1 yd behind RG. Facing S. |
R | WR Stance | Right #’s on ball |
H | Shotgun | Heels at 5 direct behind S |
K | 2 point | Heels on the 10 yd line behind S |
Jungle PAT Alignment
Pos | Stance | Alignment |
Y | 2 Point | On or outside left #. Must be end man on the LOS to the left |
OT, IT, LG, RG | 2 Point | Anywhere on LOS in between Y and R |
S | 2 Point Hand over ball >> X&O Labs Members: Login here to continue reading Join X&O Labs to Continue Reading... When you join X&O Labs, you'll get instant access to the full-length version of this report — including access to everything in The LAB and Film Room. That’s over 4,000 reports and videos.
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