Diagrams of the Colts Offensive Machine

The following diagrams are examples of the different ways the Colts use the Ace Formation.

There are about six formations that the Colts use, that are all based on the Ace formation.

What's great about the Ace Formation, and how the Colts use it, is that they can disguise they're plays without have to substitute, huddle, or call a timeout.

For example, let say the play called is an Outside Zone, Peyton gets to the line, reads the defense, and decides the play isn't going to work.

So he audibles, drops back into the Shotgun, and calls a Half-Back Draw. The defense has no clue what just happened. In fact they're probably thinking pass now, but the Colts are still going to run the ball.

That's the genius of the Colt's and the Ace Formation.

Read the full article that goes along with these diagrams at:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/280478-tom-moore-peyton-manning-and-the-ace-formation

Standard Ace Formation

This is a picture of the basic Ace formation that you will see the Colts use most of the time.

Ace Formation - Two Tight End Set

The Colts usually use the two tight end set to run the stretch play out of; however, they will pass out of it as well.

Ace Formation

Often during games, the Colts will either come out in the Shotgun, or Peyton will audible to it, if he doesn't like what he sees the defense is doing.

Ace Formation - Shotgun Two Back Backfield

Here is another example of the Shotgun that the Colts use. Often the Colts will send one back out on a passing route, and keep the other back in as a blocker.

Of course the Colts will also send both backs out on pass patterns.

Ace Formation - 4 Wide

Here is the Colts 4 wide set. Even though you never see them go five wide (to the full spread), a lot of times, it is, in actuality, a five wide set—because the back will run a pass pattern out of the backfield.

I-Formation

When the Colts use the I formation, often they like to use the offset I. They only use it in short yardage situations, and are usually not successful with it, because they don't have a real fullback.