Glossary
Pistol
OffenseFormationQBCRB
What it is
The quarterback aligns about four yards deep with the running back directly behind him.
Why it matters
Pistol is the compromise between the two: the quarterback keeps most of the shotgun's vision while the back keeps a downhill track and, critically, gives away nothing about which side the run is going to. From shotgun the back's offset declares the play's direction before the snap; from pistol it does not. The price is a snap that must be perfect, since the quarterback and the back occupy nearly the same lane.
Also called
Programs call this pistol or pistol backfield. The Coach answers to any of them.
Related
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