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r/NFLNoobs•
BoreSum

Trying to chart personnel

What would I write if there is a running back and a tight end but they both go into wide receiving positions to make 5 wide receivers?

Is it 11 personell or 00 and why?

If a tight end lines up as a half back is he still listed a tight end?

Also, any tips to work out where the tight ends are? The broadcast on the Colts Titans game only listed two tight ends on each team, yet later on after incorrectly charting some of the plays I realised that the colts number 81 who I thought was a reciever was actually another tight end.. maybe research the roster before the game?

Thanks.

Posted Dec 31, 2018, 4:16 PM UTC

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rska884•

Personnel doesn’t change based on formation. Although some players may be hybrid players who could be listed as a back or a TE, most personnel groupings will be described based off the players position, not where they line up. A back in the slot is still a back, a TE lined up at FB is still a TE, etc. This is because the defensive personnel will be subbed in based on who’s on the field, not necessarily where they’re lining up.

As for identifying TEs, my best recommendation would just be to go by jersey number, so figuring that out beforehand can help.

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BlitzburghBrian•

I'm a little curious why you're charting offensive personnel, and what you mean by that. Sounds like you might be up to something interesting (at least, interesting to the kind of people that frequent this sub).

The other post here is correct: the offensive formation is independent of the personnel on the field. Personnel can be determined while the offense is in the huddle, but the formation they take is separate.

If you're just getting into football, you'll learn pretty quickly which players are listed at what position. The Colts #81, Mo Alie-Cox, is listed as a TE at this point. A lot of what he does will be the same things a WR does, and the actual position designation isn't always as important for that.

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BoreSumOP•

Reading "Take your eye off the ball" and the first chapter talks about trying to chart personell as the game goes on. Thanks to the reply above I've made the distinction between personell and formation, and at this point am wondering if charting formation would be more beneficial to learn the game.

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PokeyPicard•

Did this same thing earlier this season. Read the book, began charting. It was helpful to see trends in personnel and scheme, but I struggled distiniguishing certain personnel. Often times, the tight end lined up as a receiver made me chart incorrectly. It helps to know the roster and know who the TE's are.

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