Offensive Philosophy (American Football) - Pro Style

Pro Style

A pro-style offense is a broad term in American football that means any offensive scheme that resembles those predominantly used at the professional level of play in the NFL, in contrast to those typically used at the collegiate or high school level. Pro-style offenses are only run by a few college teams and virtually never run at the high school level. The term should not be confused with a pro set, which is a specific formation that is used by some offenses at the professional level. Generally, pro-style offenses are more complex than typical college or high school offenses. They are balanced, requiring offensive lines that are adept at both pass and run blocking, quarterbacks with good decision-making abilities, and running backs who are capable of running between the tackles. Offenses that fall under the pro-style category include the West Coast offense, the Air Coryell offense, and the Erhardt-Perkins offensive system. Often times, Pro Style offenses utilize certain formations much more commonly than the Air Raid, Run and Shoot, Flexbone, Spread, Pistol, or Option offenses. Pro Style offenses typically utilize the FB and TEs much more commonly than offenses used at the collegiate or high school levels. Such formations usually include the following:

Ace: A standard formation with 2 or 3 WRs outside and a RB lined up behind the QB who is under center. This formation often eschews a FB for a 3rd WR or a 2nd TE.

I Formation: Another standard formation with 2 WRs on the outside and a RB lined up behind a FB and the QB who is under center. Tweaks including shifting the FB to the left or right side behind the Guard.

Shotgun: One difference is that often the Shotgun is used as a 3 WR formation with a TE lined up inside to help block in pass protection. RBs can also line up next to the QB to help pick up blitzes.

The Pro Set was the default NFL scheme for most of the 1960s to the 2000s. While it is more of a formation, the underlying philosophy of the pro set was based on becoming more successful at passing while still providing 1 or even 2 backs to help protect the QB.

The Pro Set features a TE, 2 WRs, and a Halfback and fullback, often split behind the QB. While QBs can take a snap from the center from the shotgun position, in general the pro set QB takes the ball under center to allow for better play action fakes to the running back.

The Pro Set in the 1970s and earlier was generally a running offense that used play action fakes to set up deep passing attempts when defenses stacked up vs the running game.

The Pro Set enabled NFL teams to run successfully and is structurally a sound set. So much so that even though the Coryell and West Coast Offenses were dramatic changes in view to a pass first philosophy, both have historically been executed out of the pro set formation.