Football 101
Explaining the difference between strong and weak sides, between tight ends and
H-backs
By Joel Buchsbaum, Contributing editor
May 23, 2000
|
| Editor's note: In this weekly series, PFW contributing
editor Joel Buchsbaum explains the X’s and O’s of football. In Lesson 2, he
breaks down the difference between the strong side and weak side of the field and talks
about the responsibilities of tight ends and H-backs. 
Q: What differentiates the strong side from the weak side?
Buchsbaum: The strong side of the formation is almost always the side of the formation
on which the tight end lines up. This is generally the right side of the offensive
formation and the left side of the defensive formation. Clubs tend to run more to the
strong side and less to the weak side (the side opposite from the tight end). Weak and
strong identify the strengths of the blocking. With the extra blocker (the tight end) on
the strong side, the offense therefore has more blocking power on the strong side.
Q: What does it mean for someone to be "playing against air"?
Buchsbaum: That is when a player is playing unopposed, such as an outside linebacker
who has no blocker specifically assigned to him. So, he is free to operate without having
to worry about a blocker responsibility. Very often, the weak-side linebacker gets to play
against air, while the strong-side linebacker gets to play against the tight end.
Q: How does a team balance a formation?
Buchsbaum: To balance a formation, a team puts two tight ends on the field and takes
off a wide receiver. That way, it has equal blocking power on both sides of the line.
Q: What is the difference between the responsibilities of an H-back and a tight end?
Buchsbaum: A tight end generally lines up next to the tackle, close to the line of
scrimmage on the strong side. He is generally in a down position with one hand down on the
ground. An H-back often goes in motion and is used as a blocker in a momentum situation,
where he’s in motion and turning upfield at the time the block needs to be thrown.
Or, the H-back can be used more like a flanker. By putting the H-back in motion, the
offense creates confusion for the defense: who’s going to guard him; when he blocks,
whom is he going to go after; etc. The H-back is generally more of an athletic player than
the tight end.
Next week, Buchsbaum will explain how safeties are used in a secondary. If you have any
technical football questions for Joel, e-mail them to editors@pfwa.com
and write "Football 101" in the subject line.
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