Swinging gate (American football)

The Swinging Gate is an unorthodox set-piece play in American football, executed in either the offensive or special-teams sections of play. It is unusual in that the offensive line, with the exception of the center, will line up to one side of the field, leaving the quarterback and running back unprotected on the other. Its goal is to disconcert a defensive front in order to allow a quick screen pass to a wide receiver with six blockers, or to allow a short run by the running back. Surprise is the main goal of the play, and it is not typically run outside of short-yardage situations. It is not often found in the NFL, due to the danger of a quarterback injury.

The play, originally formulated in the 1930s, still retains a modicum of popularity on high school and college teams, where the lesser athleticism of the players will allow the play to be performed with a greater degree of success. The play is often referred to as "muddle-huddle" The best-known example of the play can be found in the closing scenes of Adam Sandler's remake of the movie The Longest Yard, where Sandler's team executes the play successfully. The latest execution of the play in reality was on November 17, 2007, in an NCAA Division I game by the Baylor Bears against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. The play resulted in a 30-yard gain for the Bears, after quarterback Blake Syzmanski snapped the ball and pitched it to Brandon Whitaker.

Offensive

The passing swinging gate formation. Eligible receivers are circled in orange.

The offensive form of the play is rarely run, for the reasons above. However, it does offer several advantages to coaches willing to run it. With five eligible receivers, there are a multitude of targets for the quarterback, though he must get the ball off quickly, before the defense can recover from the initial (presumed) surprise at the unorthodox formation. The receiver at the far left will have six blockers, a crucial advantage for longer situations.

A rushing attack with the formation tends to be useful only in short-yardage situations, as the lack of blockers for the running back will hamper any longer runs. The formation is typically used as a setup for a pass when not used on special teams.

Special Teams

In the special-teams formation, both the holder and kicker are eligible receivers if the other decides to throw the ball.

The other, more common, use of the Swinging Gate formation is on special teams, as the offensive team attempts a two-point conversion. The unusual formation allows several different attacks, one of which is a rushing attack, which, thanks to the short yardage needed, is practical in a way that isn't on an ordinary play using this formation. If in a situation where the coach finds that his team does not absolutely require a successful two-point conversion, he may give his quarterback permission to call an audible and turn the play into a field goal attempt. In this "slide," the players on the line move back to the center, the quarterback becomes the holder for a place kick, and the halfback becomes the kicker.

References

• A graphic and description of the play.
• ESPN game story of CMU/BC game that featured the play.
• Huskers.com story of the NU/CU game that featured the play.