T Formation Plays for Youth Football

These T Formation plays for youth football are very easy to install.  These plays can be installed within a 2-3 practices.  This formation features double TEs and three running backs lined up in the backfield. The T Formation is a balanced formation that makes the defense defend both sides of the formation. The balanced look will stretch the defense out horizontally. You can also utilize unbalanced lines and even some motion to throw a wrinkle at the defense.

T Formation Plays for Youth Football

T Formation: Sweep

Center (C): Block head up defender.

Right Guard (RG): Work onto linebacker.

Right Tackle (RT): Block defensive tackle.

Left Guard (LG): Work onto linebacker (uncovered).

Left Tackle (LT): Block defensive tackle.

Right (TE): Work onto linebacker. If the (TE) has an inside gap defender he must block down on him.

Left (TE): Work onto a linebacker. If the (TE) has an inside gap defender he must block down on him.

QB (1): Take snap, open up left, hand to the (3). It’s the QB’s job to get the (3) the football in the backfield. The (3) shouldn’t have to wait for the hand-off. Once the QB hands the ball off he fakes boot leg to the left.

Fullback (2): Lead block, look to block cornerback.

Right Half-back (4): Seal defensive end. It’s important that the (4) maintains outside leverage and attacks the outside should of the defensive end. This block requires a lot of effort.

Left Half-back (3): Take hand-off, get outside. Run behind the (2)’s lead block.

T Formation: Belly

Center (C): Block head up defender.

Right Guard (RG): Pull, kick-out the defensive end. Aiming point is the inside hip of the defensive end.

Right Tackle (RT): Gap-down-backer.

Left Guard (LG): Step play-side, cutoff.

Left Tackle (LT): Block defensive tackle.

Right (TE): Gap-down-backer.

Left (TE): Step play-side, cutoff.

QB (1): Take snap, hand-off to the (2). Have the QB open up to the left so that he can execute a toss fake to the (3).

Fullback (2): Take hand-off, cut inside the (RG)’s kick-out block.

Left Half-back (3): Fake sweep. A good fake is needed here.

T Formation: Counter

Center (C): Double team nose guard with the (LG).

Right Guard (RG): Pull, kick-out defensive end. Aiming point is the inside hip of the defender.

Right Tackle (RT): Pull, lead block through the hole.

Left Guard (LG): Double team the nose guard with the center. Always secure inside gap first.

Left Tackle (LT): Double team the defensive tackle with the (TE). Always secure inside gap first.

Right (TE): Secure pulling (RT) gap.

Left (TE): Double team the defensive tackle with the (LT).

QB (1): Open right, quick fake to the (2), then hand to the (4).  After the hand-off, QB fakes boot leg to the right.

Fullback (2): Fake receiving hand-off, fill pulling (RG)’s gap.

Right Half-back (4): Jab step right, take hand-off, look to cut inside of the (RG)’s kick-out block.

Left Half-back (3): Fake sweep right.

• If you don’t want to pull both the (RG) and (RT) you can have the (RT) just block down and secure the pulling guards gap.

Here is another way you can run the Counter Play: 

T Formation: Post- corner

Center (C): Block head up defender.

Right Guard (RG): Inside-over pass blocking rules.

Right Tackle (RT): Inside-over pass blocking rules.

Left Guard (LG): Inside-over pass blocking rules.

Left Tackle (LT): Inside-over pass blocking rules.

Right (TE): 10-12 yard corner route. Make sure the TE drives his route up the field and then breaks. Also, make sure the (TE) continues his route to the field.  Run way from that middle safety.

Left (TE): 10-12 yard post route. Make sure the TE drives his route up the field and then breaks into his post route. It’s important that that the (TE) continues his route.

QB (1): Take snap, open right, fake to the (2), take 5 steps. Look to hit the corner or the post pattern. If both patterns are covered, look to his the (3) on the swing pass. The QB must first look to hit the corner route.

Fullback (2): Fake hand-off right, block defensive end. Attack the block, meet the DE at the line of scrimmage.

Right Half-back (4): Fake counter, block backside. Good fake is needed.

Left Half-back (3): Swing pattern, continue route.

(Bonus) T Formation Blast Play (whiteboard breakdown & game film)

T Formation Advantages

• Plays work with any line split distance.
• Double TEs will allow you to implement several different blocking schemes.
• Balanced! Spreads the defense out horizontally which will create natural running lanes inside.
• Can easily go unbalanced by moving just one player.
• Gets you blockers at the point of attack.
• Can be executed on any age level of football.

T Formation Disadvantages 

• Compressed formation will force the defense to load up the box.
• Outside attack isn’t as explosive.
• No wing-backs to utilize blocking angles.
• Need two athletic TEs that can run, catch, and block.

(See Also) Receiver Route Running Techniques