The 5 Most Common Offensive Formations in Football

One of the most exciting aspects of the game of football is, without question, the myriad of offensive schemes and formations that exist at multiple levels and varying programs from coast-to-coast.

For example, two college football teams who share a league—and even a state—may run vastly different offenses from playbooks that scarcely resemble one another. For that matter, the same team may completely alter their personnel package and approach based on down-and-distance, time and score.

Given the nuanced nature of the sport, a little formation breakdown couldn't hurt as you look to brush up on your football acumen ahead of the start to your child's season.

The popularity of the spread offense has exploded over the past decade, with offenses at every level of football launching aerial assaults over opposing defenses. Exactly as it sounds, the spread stretches across the field with as many as five wide receivers positioned sideline-to-sideline.

The shotgun formation—with the quarterback positioned 4 to 6 yards behind the center—is the most popular alignment within the spread offense. Traditionally, the formation was used primarily on passing downs. Recently, however, many teams have begun to adopt it as their base formation.

The most commonly used shotgun formation features one running back in the backfield alongside the quarterback and a pair of wide receivers split out to each side. Depending on the defense's alignment, the back may change sides to help protect against the blitz, or even motion out of the backfield altogether.