Offense
Compressed sets
Receivers aligned tight to the formation rather than out near the sideline.
In a compressed set the receivers line up close to the offensive line instead of splitting out wide. The defense has to crowd its corners inside, which opens grass toward the boundary and makes it harder for defenders to press or pass off routes cleanly.
Compressed looks also disguise intent: the same alignment can produce a crack block on an outside zone run, a play-action shot, or crossing routes that legally rub defenders. Offenses that live in compressed sets tend to create manufactured separation rather than relying on receivers winning one-on-one.
Related terms
- BunchThree receivers clustered tightly together to create natural traffic.
- TripsThree receivers aligned to one side of the formation (common in the NFL).
- Shanahan wide zoneOutside zone running paired with heavy play action and bootlegs off the identical look.
- Play actionA fake handoff designed to pull linebackers forward and open throwing lanes behind them.