Wing-T Football

[learningthegame]

I recently posted this question on the 5A website under the premise of "Wing-T in 5A football." I did it because I have repeatedly heard people who don't like the Wing-T mention how no 5A football team has ever won the title in a Wing-T system. The topic turned into an insult fest which was not what I wanted to hear. I want to hear coaches who know and believe in the system describe, defend, or even debate their faith in the Wing-T. I would also like to hear the other side of the story, knowledgable and succesful coaches who don't care for the Wing.

 

I have grown to like the Wing-T as I have had to plan on how we would defend it. The kids I coach responded well to the scheme I designed and shut down and out the teams we have played in the Wing. I am realistic however, the teams we play are Middle School kids who are running a limited Wing-T. The books and videos, however, from Denny Creehan, Ted Kempski, Tubby Raymond have shown me a very different Wing T, one in which the pass is as important as the run. I also like the modifications that Bruce Cobleigh has made (he uses west coast principles to aid in his game). My only concerns about the Wing-T are that it is complicated, different from most other offenses (meaning you need to bring kids up in it, as opposed to plugging in athletes), and if you can't pass out of it seems like a loaded box is impossible to deal with. I would like to hear from proponents and opponents of the wing.

[utchuckd]

I love the hybrid wing-t stuff that Cumberland U./Wilson Central are doing. Tons of formations with jet and rocket sweep. You've really got to read your keys to have a chance at defending it.

[Geno]

its all about speed and misdirection... ask south pittsburg

[rSquared]

I like the blocking schemes in the wing-T, with the pulling guards, the counters/misdirections, etc. But, let me add, this was an offense that allowed our outsized, out-manned personnel to compete with larger and more powerful teams when I first started coaching football in Southwest VA back in the late 80's. I'm not so sure that it's as prevalent now as it was back then. And I do remember it being a somewhat difficult offense for our players to grasp.

 

---rSquared

[bigredatheart]

You will not shut down a wing-T team with speed at the HB position, a bruising FB, and two good guards.

You have to try to slow that team down and hope they commit turnovers. It is a very good offense, that sells few tickets.

[Punisher-whs pride]

The Wing T isn't an offense many like to watch, but it seems to work! It is all about speed outside the tackles and power inside the tackles with a good mix of misdirection! When ran correctly it can give defense fits all night long! Basically it wins games, but doesn't impress crowds! /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

[Solomon]

You will not shut down a wing-T team with speed at the HB position, a bruising FB, and two good guards.

You have to try to slow that team down and hope they commit turnovers. It is a very good offense, that sells few tickets.

 

 

Good lord, give me that and I can run any kind of offense with success! /roflol.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":roflol:" border="0" alt="roflol.gif" />

 

As I have said before - I have watched very few teams run it properly IMO. On it's own I will continually say it will not win now in 4A or 5A. Run the hybrids of it and you have my interest.

[bigredatheart]

It will not win 4A or 5A games because those teams have to sell tickets. Most decent 4A and 5A teams have the necessary personnel to slow the wing-T down. All things even, the wing-T is very difficult to defend at the high school level.

[Geno]

It will not win 4A or 5A games because those teams have to sell tickets. Most decent 4A and 5A teams have the necessary personnel to slow the wing-T down. All things even, the wing-T is very difficult to defend at the high school level.

 

Obviously you havnt watched South Pittsburg.. they invoked teh mercy rule in 13 of 15 games they played in 07 including the state championship game I love watching this when it is done right... very very exciting.... we have about 4,000 in our town we sell probably 3 to 5 ,000 tickets a game...not to bad!

[bigredatheart]

I did see SP play last year. Even Solomon would have won a single A title with the speed and talent SP had.

 

I am not implying that SP should have played 4A and 5A teams, but I am saying that 4A and 5A teams are much more likely to have the speed and interior strength to slow down the wing-T.

 

When you have the advantage in speed that SP had over almost every opponent last year, the wing-T will run up some big numbers.

 

SP deserved their title. Congrats.

[Old Warhorse]

You can not argue with the success of the Wing-T offense. John Mullunax ran it for years at McMinn and won tons of games. Bill Price rebuilt Soddy running the Wing-T. Coach Davis (father and son) take average kids, get them in the wieght room, coach up the skill players and find some offensive lineman. Then they get 6,7,8 first downs and it is first and goal. South Pitt is the fastest of the WingTers. Catholic and Webb runn the Wing-T. Norte Dames spread offense is the Wing-T in disguise (at least the running game) It works-always has and always will because as simple as it seems, it takes great discipline and preparation to defeat the scheme.

[purplengold]

Good lord, give me that and I can run any kind of offense with success! /roflol.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":roflol:" border="0" alt="roflol.gif" />

 

As I have said before - I have watched very few teams run it properly IMO. On it's own I will continually say it will not win now in 4A or 5A. Run the hybrids of it and you have my interest.

 

 

I agree, the Wing T cannot win at the upper levels. Just don't tell Bellevue, who defeated De La Salle 39-20 in 2004. The talent should have been pretty much even or tipped in the favor of De LaSalle.

 

I agree with Solomon the Hybrid is more fun to watch. Best source for Hybrid stuff at Wilson Central. I look for them to make a run. No one thought they would do anything last year, but they ended up winning 10 games losing to Smyrna twice.