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Pro set

In American football, the pro set (or split backs formation) is a balanced offensive alignment commonly used as a base set by professional, college, and amateur teams. It features two running backs positioned behind the offensive line and two wide receivers split wide on the line of scrimmage, allowing for versatile run and pass plays. The formation emphasizes balance between rushing and passing, facilitating quick ball distribution across the field.^[1] Originating in professional play during the mid-20th century, it gained prominence in the NFL and has influenced modern offenses, though its usage has evolved with spread concepts.^[2]

Formation and Components

Basic Alignment

The Pro Set formation is defined as a backfield alignment in American football where two running backs are positioned side-by-side, approximately 5 yards behind the line of scrimmage.^[3] This setup evolved from the T-formation, offering a balanced configuration that enhances versatility in offensive plays.^[4] The standard personnel consists of one quarterback aligned under center, two running backs—a fullback and a halfback— one tight end, one split end, one flanker, and five offensive linemen: a center flanked by two guards and two tackles.^[4] This 21 personnel grouping (two backs, one tight end) totals 11 players, with the remaining positions filled by wide receivers.^[5] At the line of scrimmage, the five linemen establish a conventional blocking unit, with the tight end attached directly to one tackle to provide additional protection or blocking support.^[4] The split end lines up wide on the opposite side of the tight end, on the line of scrimmage, while the flanker positions off the line, typically split several yards behind and outside the tight end, creating wide threats on both flanks.^[4] In the backfield, the running backs align symmetrically, often directly behind the guards or tackles at a depth of about 5 yards, spaced roughly 5 yards apart from each other to facilitate quick lateral movement and balance between run and pass threats.^[3] This spacing allows the formation to maintain equilibrium across the field, enabling effective options for both ground attacks up the middle and perimeter plays.^[1]

Player Positions and Roles

In the Pro Set formation, players assume specific alignments and responsibilities that enable a balanced attack, with the backfield and receiving corps working in tandem to support both running and passing plays. The quarterback positions under center, receiving the snap from the center before handing off to a running back, audibly calling plays, or dropping back 3 to 5 steps for pass attempts, while critically reading defensive alignments pre-snap to identify blitzes or coverage weaknesses.^[2]^[6] The fullback aligns directly behind the quarterback on the strong side (the side with the tight end), primarily blocking for the halfback on inside runs by engaging linebackers or defensive ends, though occasionally releasing as a short-yardage receiver or leading blocks on sweep plays to the perimeter.^[6]^[1] The halfback lines up offset slightly behind and to the weak side of the quarterback, serving as the primary ball carrier for inside handoffs, draw plays that exploit overpursuing defenses, and check-down passes in the flat, while demonstrating versatility by cutting outside on sweeps or counters when gaps open.^[2]^[1] The tight end attaches inline to the offensive tackle on the strong side, functioning mainly as a blocker to seal edges against rushes or chip defensive ends on pass protection, but also operating as a hybrid receiver on short crossing routes or deep seam patterns to stretch the middle of the field.^[2]^[6] The split end and flanker serve as the formation's wide receivers, stretching the defense vertically; the split end aligns directly outside the offensive tackle on the line of scrimmage to draw coverage and run go or post routes, while the flanker detaches off the line in the slot or wider to exploit one-on-one mismatches with slants, fades, or out patterns.^[2]^[6] The offensive line anchors the formation with five players: the center snaps the ball and anchors interior blocking against nose tackles or middle linebackers; the two guards fire out for double-team blocks on stunts or pull to the flank on sweeps to create cutback lanes; and the two tackles drive-block edge rushers on runs while providing pocket integrity on drops to prevent sacks.^[2]^[1] The inclusion of both a fullback and halfback fosters run-pass balance, permitting the quarterback to mix handoffs with play-action fakes that freeze linebackers.^[4]

Variations

Standard Pro Set

The standard Pro Set formation features two running backs aligned symmetrically behind the quarterback, positioned approximately 5 yards deep from the line of scrimmage and generally behind the offensive guards and tackles, creating a balanced backfield setup.^[2]^[1] This alignment places the backs side by side, with the fullback typically lining up nearer a guard for lead blocking and the halfback nearer a tackle for versatile carries, maximizing interior blocking angles for runs up the middle.^[1] The quarterback stands under center, with the offensive line consisting of a center flanked by two guards, two tackles, and typically one tight end on the strong side alongside two wide receivers split to the outside.^[2] This arrangement establishes equal threats to both sides of the field, enabling effective misdirection and play-action fakes that exploit defensive overcommitment.^[1] The balanced nature of the formation supports a "pro" style of attack, where the offense can equally target interior gaps or edges without telegraphing direction, making it ideal for maintaining defensive uncertainty.^[2] Visually, the backs appear parallel and equidistant from the center line, forming a compact backfield that contrasts with stacked or offset variants by emphasizing width and lateral options.^[1] Commonly employed on first downs, the standard Pro Set facilitates quick handoffs to either back for inside runs or delays, while also setting up short passes to the backs releasing into flats or seams.^[2] It evolved briefly from the T-formation by splitting the backs laterally for enhanced balance in professional play.^[1]

Offset Pro Set

The Offset Pro Set is a variation of the Pro Set formation that introduces asymmetry in the backfield to emphasize one side of the offensive line and generate specific tactical advantages. In this alignment, the fullback positions directly behind the quarterback at a depth of approximately 4-5 yards from the line of scrimmage, while the halfback aligns offset to one side, typically closer to the strong-side tackle to reinforce plays toward that direction. This setup, often referred to as a split-back adjustment within the Pro Set framework, allows the offense to exploit defensive alignments by concentrating personnel and blocking on the strong side.^[7] The offset positioning shifts blocking responsibilities asymmetrically, enabling enhanced execution of sweeps, quick handoffs, or short passes that target the strong side while pulling defenders out of position. By creating this imbalance, the formation facilitates mismatches between offensive players and defensive counterparts, supporting a versatile mix of run and pass threats that can open lanes for big plays. The design promotes pre-snap motion from the offset halfback, adding layers of deception without altering the core Pro Set structure of one tight end and two wide receivers split outside.^[7] Compared to the standard Pro Set, which relies on symmetric back placement parallel to each other behind the quarterback for balanced attacks, the Offset Pro Set's asymmetric backfield reduces predictability and tailors the offense to situational needs, such as emphasizing perimeter runs or play-action concepts. This adjustment maintains the Pro Set's foundational balance in the receiving corps but adapts the backfield for targeted emphasis, making it a specialized tool in play-calling.^[7]

History

Origins and Early Adoption

The Pro Set formation emerged as an evolution from the single-wing offense prevalent in college football during the 1930s, where unbalanced lines and direct snaps emphasized running plays but limited passing flexibility. As defenses became more sophisticated, coaches sought balanced alignments that could threaten both run and pass equally, leading to the revival of the T-formation in the late 1930s. This shift was influenced by earlier single-wing adaptations, such as man-in-motion elements that allowed for quicker releases and better blocking angles.^[8] In the professional game, the T-formation was professionalized during the 1940s and 1950s, with coaches like Clark Shaughnessy playing a pivotal role in its refinement into the Pro Set. Shaughnessy, while serving as head coach of the Los Angeles Rams from 1948 to 1949, derived the Pro Set directly from the three-running-back T-formation by permanently positioning one halfback as a flanker wide of the line, creating a split-back alignment with dual running backs behind the quarterback. This innovation, credited to Shaughnessy alongside influences from Sid Gillman, adapted the T's structure to exploit speedier professional defenses by enhancing run-pass balance and opening passing lanes.^[9] The Pro Set gained early traction in the NFL during the 1950s, particularly through the Cleveland Browns under head coach Paul Brown, who emphasized its versatility for pro-level play. Brown's implementation highlighted the formation's ability to deploy two backs side-by-side for improved options in both rushing and play-action passing, marking a departure from single-back sets and solidifying its role as a foundational offensive scheme. Gillman further advanced these concepts during his tenure with the Rams starting in 1955, integrating them into a timing-based passing attack that influenced subsequent pro offenses.^[10]

Peak Popularity and Decline

The Pro Set formation reached its zenith in professional football during the 1960s through the 1980s, serving as a foundational element of the West Coast offense pioneered by Bill Walsh with the San Francisco 49ers. This alignment, featuring a quarterback under center flanked by a fullback and halfback, enabled precise timing in short passes and effective play-action fakes that exploited defensive alignments, contributing to the 49ers' three Super Bowl victories in the 1980s.^[11]^[12] The formation's balanced structure supported a run-pass equilibrium, allowing teams to control the tempo and disguise intentions, which was particularly potent in an era when under-center snaps dominated over 90% of NFL plays.^[13] During this period, the Pro Set was a staple for several powerhouse teams seeking versatile, balanced attacks. The Pittsburgh Steelers of the 1970s Steel Curtain era employed it as their base split-back setup to complement their ground-and-pound style led by Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier. Similarly, the Dallas Cowboys under Tom Landry utilized the formation throughout the 1970s and 1980s to execute multifaceted offenses that integrated Tony Dorsett's rushing with passing threats, securing two Super Bowls and maintaining consistent contention. At its height, the Pro Set and similar two-back alignments accounted for a significant portion of NFL offensive snaps, often exceeding 50% in key eras as teams prioritized gap-scheme runs and play-action opportunities.^[14]^[15] The formation's prominence began to wane in the 1990s amid evolving offensive philosophies that emphasized aerial attacks and greater field spacing. The increasing adoption of shotgun formations, which provided quarterbacks with enhanced vision and quicker releases, rose from just 7.1% of snaps in 1989 to 12.8% by 2000, gradually eroding the under-center base of the Pro Set.^[13] This shift aligned with a league-wide pivot toward pass-heavy strategies, as rule changes and defensive complexities favored spreading receivers over traditional two-back sets. By the early 2000s, the Pro Set's usage had sharply declined to under 10% of NFL plays, supplanted by single-back alignments that better suited zone-blocking schemes. Popularized by coaches like Mike Shanahan with the Denver Broncos in the late 1990s, zone blocking emphasized horizontal lineman movement and cut-back runs by a lone back, rendering the fullback in the Pro Set largely obsolete and enabling more flexible personnel groupings for passing.^[16]^[11] Overall, Pro Set snaps fell from around 40% in the 1980s to marginal levels, reflecting broader trends toward shotgun dominance, which exceeded 50% by the mid-2000s.^[17]

Revival in Contemporary Football

In the mid-2000s, the Pro Set saw niche usage by West Coast offense teams, particularly in third-down and goal-line situations to leverage balanced backfield alignments for short-yardage gains.^[1] This approach allowed for quick play-action passes and power runs, aligning with the era's emphasis on versatile personnel groupings like 21 personnel (two running backs, one tight end, two wide receivers). The formation experienced a broader revival in the late 2010s, fueled by NFL analytics highlighting play-action's effectiveness—gaining 0.5 expected points per attempt more than standard dropbacks—against prevalent spread defenses that prioritize pass coverage over run support.^[18] Hybrid fullbacks and versatile backs further adapted the Pro Set, blending traditional split-back structure with modern motion and RPO elements for misdirection. As of the early 2020s, Pro Set usage remained sporadic and under 10% of NFL snaps league-wide, often in specific situations to provide conceptual balance against hybrid defenses in a shotgun-dominated league.^[19]

Strategy and Tactics

Offensive Advantages and Plays

The Pro Set formation offers a balanced offensive threat by aligning a fullback and halfback side by side behind the quarterback, complemented by a tight end and two wide receivers, which allows teams to effectively execute both running and passing plays while forcing defenses to defend the entire field without predictable tendencies. This balance confuses defenses on run-pass decisions, as the formation's versatility prevents them from loading the box heavily against the run or dropping into prevent coverage against the pass. Additionally, the presence of the fullback provides strong lead blocking for inside runs, while the split backs enable pulling guards to create outside running lanes, exploiting gaps created by defensive alignments. Play-action fakes from the Pro Set particularly exploit aggressive linebackers who commit to stopping the run, drawing them forward and opening passing lanes for the quarterback to target tight ends or flankers on intermediate routes. Common running plays include power runs up the middle, such as the 22 dive, where the fullback leads through the A or B gap with double-team blocks from the offensive line to overwhelm interior defenders. Sweeps to the flank leverage pulling guards and the fullback's blocking to stretch the defense laterally, creating cutback opportunities for the halfback. Misdirection elements are enhanced by the backs' side-by-side alignment, facilitating counters, draws, and reverses that exploit overpursuit; for instance, the weak sweep uses a quarterback fake to the strong side while the halfback attacks the perimeter, often resulting in favorable one-on-one matchups. This setup also proves effective against man coverage in the passing game, as pre-snap motion or alignment shifts can create mismatches for quick outs to the tight end on short routes or deeper posts to the flanker. Bootlegs complement these by rolling the quarterback out after a run fake, allowing play-action passes to trailing backs or crossing routes by receivers. Historically, offenses utilizing the Pro Set maintained a run-pass balance emphasizing ground control while incorporating enough passes to keep defenses honest, a ratio common in the NFL prior to major rule changes in the late 1970s.

Defensive Countermeasures

Defenses typically counter the balanced nature of the Pro Set formation with base 4-3 or 3-4 fronts, positioning linebackers stacked directly behind the defensive line to seal off inside running lanes and maintain gap integrity. The 4-3 alignment, with four down linemen and three linebackers, offers versatility against the formation's dual-threat running backs, allowing the middle linebacker to read and pursue while the ends contain the edges. Similarly, the 3-4 front leverages outside linebackers as edge setters to force runs back inside, where the interior line and stacked linebackers can converge. To address the Pro Set's passing potential, coordinators often shift to nickel packages, substituting a fifth defensive back for a linebacker to bolster coverage against routes from the flanker and split end. Key tactical adjustments include blitzing the weak-side linebacker—such as the Will in a 4-3 scheme—to pressure the quarterback and disrupt play-action fakes, exploiting the formation's reliance on bootlegs and rollouts. Zone coverages, like Cover 2 or Cover 3, are employed to flood the seams and intermediate zones, preventing the wide receivers from exploiting vertical threats while safeties drop to support against the backs releasing into patterns. In offset variants of the Pro Set, where backs align asymmetrically, defenses counter the imbalance by slanting the front seven to the strong side, creating pursuit angles that force plays back into the teeth of the defense and disrupt offensive blocking schemes. A designated spy—often a linebacker or nickel back—is assigned to the halfback to mirror draws and delays, limiting the formation's misdirection options. Historically, defensive evolutions in the 2000s saw a transition to 4-2-5 schemes, reducing linebackers to two while adding defensive backs, to better manage the increased passing volume from Pro Set looks in an era of aerial offenses. These adjustments collectively aim to neutralize the play-action threat that stems from the formation's balanced backfield.

Modern Usage

In Professional Leagues

In the 2020s, elements of the Pro Set formation—characterized by the quarterback under center with two aligned running backs—have seen limited but strategic usage in the NFL. While general under-center alignments account for approximately 20-30% of league-wide offensive snaps as of the 2024 season, primarily for run-heavy or play-action scenarios, traditional Pro Set (21 personnel split backs) usage remains niche at under 10% of snaps, often integrated into hybrid schemes.^[20] This contrasts with dominant shotgun sets, exceeding 70% of plays, but under-center setups offer advantages in short-yardage and goal-line situations for momentum and deception.^[21] The Kansas City Chiefs under head coach Andy Reid exemplified targeted under-center deployment during their 2023 Super Bowl LVII victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, using play-action runs that contributed to 158 rushing yards on 25 carries, powering their comeback.^[22] In 2024, the Baltimore Ravens integrated under-center elements with read-option schemes, operating under center on 29% of plays—their highest rate since 2018—yielding approximately 6.5 yards per play and bolstering quarterback Lamar Jackson's dual-threat ability in short-yardage contexts.^[23] The Philadelphia Eagles have made under-center quarterback sneaks like the "Brotherly Shove" a goal-line staple, achieving an 88-93% success rate as of 2024, amid league-wide discussions on potential restrictions.^[24] Beyond the NFL, Pro Set usage remains constrained in leagues like the Canadian Football League (CFL) and United Football League (UFL) due to wider fields and faster paces favoring spread offenses, but it persists for short-yardage plays where under-center power runs provide an edge. In the UFL, teams such as the Birmingham Stallions have used heavy personnel alignments for goal-line pushes, achieving high success rates.^[25] Performance data underscores the value of under-center alignments in play-action passing, with improved efficiency and EPA gains of +0.13 per attempt as of 2024, driven by defensive hesitation.^[26] This has prompted a slight uptick in under-center play-action league-wide, from 28.7% to 30.3% of passing plays in 2024, enhancing rushing setups without overhauling shotgun-dominant schemes.^[27] As of 2025, traditional Pro Set remains rare but influential in hybrid offenses amid ongoing debates over related short-yardage tactics.

In College and Amateur Levels

In college football, Pro Set elements find continued application in power conferences such as the Big Ten, suiting run-heavy strategies and two-back systems that capitalize on hybrid athlete versatility. Teams in the Big Ten have incorporated under-center alignments with Pro Set characteristics to balance offenses, blending traditional snaps with modern elements like RPOs to counter spread defenses, as seen in recent seasons.^[28] This approach allows coaches to exploit personnel groupings like 21 or 12, emphasizing power runs while incorporating run-pass options (RPOs) for added unpredictability against aggressive defenses. At the high school and amateur levels, the Pro Set serves as a foundational formation, promoting the development of blocking fundamentals and overall offensive balance without requiring elite athleticism from the offensive line. It is particularly effective for teams with less experienced or physically imposing linemen, as the dual tight ends provide additional protection and run support. According to coaching analyses, its straightforward structure facilitates teaching core skills like route running and gap blocking, making it a staple in youth programs where player development is prioritized over complex schemes.^[29] Adaptations of the Pro Set are common across these levels to accommodate varying talent and rules. In youth football, coaches simplify the formation by reducing route options and emphasizing misdirection runs, such as sweeps or dives, to keep plays accessible for younger athletes. College variants often integrate RPOs, where the quarterback reads the defense post-snap to decide between a handoff and a quick pass, enhancing efficiency against spread-oriented opponents. These modifications maintain the formation's core balance while adapting to contemporary defensive pressures.^[28]^[29] The benefits of the Pro Set at college and amateur levels include enhanced skill-building for blocking and tackling, as the alignment demands disciplined execution from both lines. Recent trends as of 2025 indicate adoption in FCS programs, providing a counter to air raid offenses by restoring balance and controlling the clock.^[29]

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