Football Formation Guide

Empty / Five Wide Formation

See how empty formation spreads the defense, exposes pressure, and lets quarterbacks identify coverage before the snap.

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Football formation field diagramA simplified college football field with offense and defense alignment markers before the snap.LINE OF SCRIMMAGEXLTLGCRGRTTEZQBRBHCBDENTDENBLBLBCBFSSS

Formation categories

Focus on one phase at a time, then compare alignments by personnel, spacing, strengths, and tradeoffs.

Overview

Offensive Formations

22

Backfield, receiver, tight end, option, spread, goal-line, and historical offensive alignments.

Defensive Formations

15

Fronts, nickel packages, dime looks, goal-line defenses, pressure fronts, and disguise-heavy alignments.

Special Teams Formations

10

Punt, field goal, kickoff, return, hands-team, and block formations for football's field-position phases.

Empty / Five Wide Formation diagram and notes#

Empty / Five Wide formation diagram Empty backfield with five eligible receivers spread across the formation. LINE OF SCRIMMAGE LT LG C RG RT X H Y F Z QB Empty / Five Wide
Empty: five eligible receivers, no running back in the backfield.

What it is: A formation with no running back in the backfield. All five eligible receivers align near the line as wideouts, slots, tight ends, or backs displaced from the backfield.

History: Empty became more common as quarterbacks became better at pre-snap coverage recognition and offenses used backs and tight ends as receiving mismatches.

Pros

  • Forces the defense to show coverage and matchup intentions.
  • Maximizes receiving threats and quick passing space.
  • Can create QB draw and designed QB run opportunities.
  • Great for two-minute offense and third-down spacing.

Cons

  • No back is available for normal pass protection.
  • The quarterback must handle pressure quickly.
  • Run threats are limited unless the QB is a credible runner.
  • Bad weather or inaccurate passing can make it fragile.

Best personnel fit: Teams with an elite processing quarterback, five credible eligible receivers, and a plan for pressure.

Common calls and concepts: Five-man quick game, mesh, spacing, empty stick, QB draw, shallow cross, and choice routes.

Related search terms: empty backfield formation, five wide formation, empty set football