Part I: Introducing the Base Formation – Pistol Ace Twins

Why Pistol Ace Twins?- The great thing about this formation is the fact you can read if the defense is in man or zone coverage straight from the huddle in any 2 CB (4 DB) formation. From 4-3, 3-4, to 4-4, 4-2-5, etc…you can read the defense with ease (if both CBs line up over the WRs = man. If only 1 CB lines up on the WR’s side zone). Secondly, the balance of 2 WR, 2 TE, and a HB of Twin WRs keep a nice passing or running formation and the Pistol version gives a slight bit more time to read blitz than the Ace version. Lastly, to make any formation effective, it must simply have GOOD PLAYS and quick audibles.Type of Team to Use With The Pistol Ace Twins?- I think any team with 2 solid WRs and TEs, along with a quick pass catching RB is great for this formation. If you have a mobile QB, even better but pocket passers can work just as fine.The play I come out of the huddle in 90% of the time is Pistol Ace Twins – Power Option. However if you have a pocket QB, you might want to break the huddle with HB Slip Screen, Curl Flat Corner, PA FL Stretch, or some other play.Power OptionThe first thing to do is to read if the defense is in man or zone coverage. Now, if there are 3 or more CBs on the field, try motioning the slot WR and reading if the Nickel back follows him to the or just slides with him, the later being zone or a blitz from the NB. If it is man coverage with 2 CBs, I will run the option to the right and look to break a huge gain. Any other defensive formation, time to audible.Slants = Quick Audible + UPThis play can work against man or zone coverage- Man1. Hot route left TE to a streak2. Hot route RB to a streak3. Motion RB to the right and snap once he reaches the outside yard markerFirst roll out to the right and look to hit the right TE in the flats. Next watch the slot and outside WRs on the slants over the middle. Then glance deep to see if either the left TE or RB has their man beat deep. If none of the slants are open once they get to the other side of the field, tuck it down and scramble.- Zone1. Hot route RB to a slant right2. Hot route right TE to a fade3. Hot route far left WR to a slant left4. Hot route slot WR to a streakHere you have your streak/corner combo with the WRs. After the snap first look is the left TE to the flats and then the RB to the right side flats. Next move towards the WRs and see which WR the deep zone defender has chosen to cover. Lastly, look towards your right TE or dumb it off to the TE on the left sideline.Smash – Quick Audible + RightThis play only requires one setup that works against man or zone coverage.1. Smart route the right TEFirst read is your RB in the flats. Next look up towards your right TE on the mini corner route. Then move to the left and watch the streak/corner combo with the left TE and slot WR. If nothing else is open look to scramble or throw the hitch curl on the outside.HB Dive – Quick Audible + DownAfter you have made your opponent respect the Power Option from this formation, you can generally expect them to start using move 3-4+ CB formations such as Nickel 3-3-5, Dime, or Quarters thus leaving less LBs and DL to clog the middle. If you notice this, make them play with the quick audible down and follow the blockers.PA Deep In – Quick Audible + LeftAfter hitting the defense with a couple HB Dives, expect this Play Action to burn them for a deep gain.1. Hot route left TE to a drag2. Hot route left outside WR to a slant rightIf the defense is in any type of man coverage, first look for the left TE on the drag to beat his man or watch the RB and outside left WR cross over the middle. If nothing short is open, the slot WR should draw any deep safety away from the right TE on the post.If the defense is in zone, again look short for one of the underneath routes. The nice thing about this play is against a Cover 2, the deep left safety will follow the slot WR streaking every time leaving your right TE wide open once he gets past the hook/yellow zones.HB Counter – Audible #3This is where our first audible comes into play. Let’s say the defense is running a lot of zone coverage no matter what running plays you use and it is stopping the HB Dive and Option…it’s time for the HB Counter. Especially against a 2 CB formation, you’ll have a pulling Guard leading the RBs path along with the slot WR free to pick up a roaming LB or FS.Final Thoughts on Pistol Ace TwinsThese are the 6 basic plays I stick to with this formation and use according to the read I get from the defense. Keep in mind that if there are more than 2 CBs on the field, make sure to motion a WR and get the best read you can. What’s great though is that most of these plays can beat any type of coverage once the reads are learned.Some other plays to check out from Pistol Ace Twins:- PA FL Stretch- Curl Flat Corner- HB Slip Screen- Slot Under- Stick- Comeback- Posts