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Offense · Ages 8–14

Single Wing

One of football's oldest offenses — a direct snap to a back plus unbalanced-line power, spinner, and buck series that are devastating against undisciplined youth defenses. Modern versions keep it very much alive.

Direct snapUnbalanced powerNo passing QB needed
GCGTTTEEBBFBTBW
Base offense alignment — schematic, not to scale

Best fit

Excellent when you have physical linemen and a couple of tough, versatile backs but no true passing QB. Direct snaps and angle-blocking are forgiving; misdirection shines where defensive discipline is weakest.

Base formation & personnel

Direct snap to the tailback or fullback (no under-center QB). Backfield: tailback, fullback, blocking back, and a wingback outside a TE. The line is often unbalanced (extra lineman to one side). The 'QB' is essentially a blocking back.

Core philosophy

  • Direct-snap power with double teams and angle (down) blocks — no complex pass protection to teach.
  • Series football: Power, Buck, and Spin series all start with the same backfield motion to hide the ball.
  • The spinner series is a change-up whose only difference is the mesh path.
  • Unbalanced line and pulling backs flood the point of attack with blockers.

Bread-and-butter plays

Power (Off-Tackle)

Tailback runs behind a wall to the strong side.

Blocking: Playside double-teams the key defender; blocking back kicks out the DE; backside pulls to lead; wingback seals down.

Ball: Tailback following the kickout and lead.

Wedge / Inside

Quick inside power.

Blocking: Down-blocks and double teams at the point of attack; linemen surge together.

Ball: Fullback or tailback downhill.

Counter (Darter)

Misdirection to the weak side after power flow.

Blocking: Blocking back kicks the weak-side DE; backside pulls to lead.

Ball: Counter back going away from the shown power.

Buck (FB)

Fullback buck up the middle off the same mesh.

Blocking: Interior down-blocks/double teams.

Ball: Fullback — holds the linebackers so power & spinner stay open.

Spinner Series

Tailback spins to hide the ball before giving, keeping, or reversing.

Blocking: Base power blocking for the intended hole.

Ball: Varies — freezes defenders, protects base plays.

Wingback Reverse

Wingback comes across for a perimeter/misdirection hit.

Blocking: Seal backside pursuit and lead to the edge.

Ball: Wingback.

Install progression

1

Week 1: Direct-snap mechanics (a big priority), unbalanced-line alignment, numbering; install Power both ways + double-team and down-block angles.

2

Week 2: Add the Buck (FB) play and the Counter/Darter off power.

3

Week 3: Add the Spinner series changeup (same mesh, different give).

4

Week 4+: Add the wingback reverse and simple play-action.

Full Playbook

28 plays

A complete install menu — every play/call grouped by type. Tap any play for a full breakdown: every position's job, how to teach it, and common mistakes to fix.

Run18
26 Power
Base down

Tailback takes the direct snap and runs off-tackle behind double-team and pulling guards to the strong side.

Key: Playside tackle and end down-block, both guards pull to lead through the off-tackle hole with the wingback kicking out the end.

Full breakdown →
36 Off-Tackle
Base down

Fullback takes the direct snap and hits the off-tackle hole behind the wall of pulling linemen.

Key: Playside blockers down-block to create the seam while the backside guard pulls and the wingback seals the edge.

Full breakdown →
16 Power Sweep
Base down

Tailback takes the snap wide around end with the wingback and pulling guards leading outside.

Key: Wingback and both guards pull to escort the runner around the corner, kicking out the contain defender.

Full breakdown →
Spinner 33 Fullback Buck
Base down

Fullback takes the snap, spins to hide the ball, and rams straight up the middle behind a double-team.

Key: Center and guard double-team the nose while the fullback's spin freezes the linebackers before hitting the A-gap.

Full breakdown →
Spinner 44 Wingback Off-Tackle
Base down

Fullback spins and hands to the crossing wingback who attacks the off-tackle hole.

Key: Playside end and tackle down-block as the wingback runs tight off the fullback's spin fake.

Full breakdown →
Spinner 27 Tailback Keep
Base down

Fullback fakes the spin handoffs then keeps the ball wide toward the tailback side.

Key: Linemen pull toward the perimeter as the spinning fullback carries the ball around end after showing both fakes.

Full breakdown →
Fullback Wedge
Goal line / 2-pt

Fullback takes the snap and follows a tight wedge of linemen straight ahead for short yardage.

Key: Center and both guards fire off shoulder-to-shoulder forming a moving wedge that drives the front straight back.

Full breakdown →
Tailback Wedge
Goal line / 2-pt

Tailback takes the snap and follows the fullback into the wedge for a goal-line push.

Key: All interior linemen block shoulder-to-shoulder on the nearest defender to create one solid moving wall.

Full breakdown →
22 Trap
Base down

Fullback takes the snap and hits the A-gap on a quick trap of the first down lineman.

Key: Backside guard pulls to trap-block the penetrating defensive tackle while the center blocks back.

Full breakdown →
46 Buck Sweep
Base down

Fullback fakes the buck and the tailback sweeps wide behind pulling guards.

Key: Both guards pull playside to lead the sweep as the fullback's dive fake holds the interior.

Full breakdown →
48 Jet Sweep
Base down

Wingback goes in fast motion and takes a direct snap or handoff sweeping wide around end.

Key: Playside end and wingback area blockers arc-block outside while the fullback fills for the vacated wing.

Full breakdown →
Fullback Counter
Base down

Backs flow strong on sweep action while the fullback cuts back weak off a pulling guard.

Key: Backside guard pulls to kick out the end and the tackle down-blocks to open the counter lane.

Full breakdown →
Wingback Counter
Base down

Tailback fakes the sweep and the wingback counters back inside off tackle.

Key: Playside down-blocks and a pulling backside guard wrap up through the counter hole for the wingback.

Full breakdown →
Unbalanced 28 Power
Base down

With both tackles to one side, the tailback runs power to the strong overloaded edge.

Key: The extra strongside tackle creates a double-team at the point of attack while guards pull to lead.

Full breakdown →
Unbalanced 39 Off-Tackle
Base down

Fullback runs off-tackle into the unbalanced strong side loaded with extra linemen.

Key: Overloaded playside linemen down-block and combo to the linebackers with the wing kicking out the end.

Full breakdown →
Belly G
Base down

Tailback runs a belly path off-tackle with a guard pulling to lead through the hole.

Key: Playside end down-blocks and the backside guard pulls to log or kick the edge defender for the belly lane.

Full breakdown →
Quick Trap 25
Goal line / 2-pt

Fullback takes the snap and hits a quick weakside trap for a fast interior gain.

Key: Weakside guard pulls to trap the first defender past the center as the center blocks back.

Full breakdown →
Quick Pitch 19
Base down

Tailback takes the snap and quick-pitches to the wingback racing to the corner.

Key: Playside end and tackle reach-block the edge while the wingback sprints to turn the corner immediately.

Full breakdown →

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