What it is

The Wildcat is a formation in which a running back, instead of the quarterback, takes the snap directly. The quarterback often lines up out wide as a receiver, so the defense must account for an extra runner and for a possible trick pass.

In a game

From the Wildcat, the back can run, hand off, fake a handoff or throw on a halfback pass, which freezes the defense for a moment. It was popular as a surprise play that makes the offense look like a college-style option attack.

More detail

The formation gives the defense an unusual look, and it works best in short bursts as a surprise rather than as a main set. Its cost is a weaker passing game, since the player who takes the snap is usually not a trained passer.

Animated diagram

1. The quarterback lines up out wide, and the running back stands where the quarterback usually is.
2. The center snaps the ball straight to the running back, who has no need to pass it.
3. The quarterback acts as a decoy and the linemen block. The running back follows them into a gap, with an extra blocker on the field.