What Is a Wingback Offense?

A wingback offense is an offensive formation used in American football that easily allows for both running and passing. It takes its name from the wingback position many of its plays rely on. The wingback is an offensive player who lines up at one end of the offensive line, a few yards back from the line of scrimmage. From this position, he can carry the ball, run a passing route or block. Some offenses use two wingbacks, one on each side of the offensive line.

  1. History

    • Invented by "Pop" Warner in 1906 at the Carlisle Indian Institute and adopted to suit star player Jim Thorpe, the wingback offense has a long and storied history. It was the most popular offense in the National Football League's first season in 1922 and was used continuously until 1952. College teams also used the offense extensively. Modern teams do not often use the wingback offense. It was gradually replaced by the T-formation in the 1940s after defenses developed effective methods of countering the wingback offense.

    Influence

    • The wingback offense continues to influence college and professional football. Features of the single-wing offense still show up in reverses, trap and wedge blocking, play action passes, and the like. The University of Florida and other college teams play in formations that resemble the wingback offense, and some coaches have discussed reviving it.

    Single Wingback Formation

    • A common version of the wingback offense is the single wingback formation, which is also the original version of the offense. In this formation, the wingback stands near the offensive line a few steps back from the line of scrimmage. In that position, he can receive a pass or assist in blocking. Often, one of the offensive linemen moves to the same side of the line as the wingback, which is where the quarterback begins the play.

    Youth Football

    • Even today, youth and high-school teams sometimes use the wingback offense. It is simple for younger players to implement and does not force teams to pass the ball, yet it still preserves the threat of a pass. Opposing teams featuring younger players may be unfamiliar with the offense and struggle to stop it.