"Pistol" Formation Gives Tide Offense Versatility

The "Pistol" formation is an offensive set rapidly catching fire in college football.  It features the QB four to five yards deep behind the center, with the RB lined up about two yards behind the QB. 

     Coaches across have praised the "Pistol" because it spreads the defense out like the "shotgun" formation but allows the RB to run downhill at the same time.  The Alabama Crimson Tide has used the "Pistol" formation to rush for four touchdowns, and used it when QB Greg McElroy completed a crucial 48-yard pass to Marquis Maze. 

     At the University of Nevada, coach Chris Ault installed an offense that uses the "Pistol" offense on nearly every play.  Nevada offensive coordinator Chris Klenakis said that Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain has queried him on several occasions about the Pistol, especially after Fresno State, featuring McElwain as offensive coordinator, faced off with the Nevada's "Pistol" offense and lost 49-41 in 2007.

     So far the "Pistol" has been a success at Bama, and touted true freshman Trent Richardson scored both of his touchdowns last week out of the "Pistol" formation.  During the first touchdown, Richardson bounced the ball outside and broke a tackle as he crossed the goal line from nine yards out.  During the second, Richardson dashed straight ahead, picked up good blocks, and ran the ball 35 yards to the endzone untouched.  Terry Grant had a 42-yard touchdown out of the formation.

     In a year that Bama is successfully trying to get more explosive on offense, the "Pistol" formation is bound to become a fixture in the offense for several years to come.

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