I think a team that does not have the capacity in their offense to go under center is not a well-rounded offense. Likewise, a team that ONLY goes under center is not a well-rounded offense either. There is a time and a place for both. I like under-center most of the time for short-yardage and goalline to maintain the threat of the QB sneak. This threat of the QB sneak makes the previously-mentioned sweep an even better play. Also, I believe the play-action passing game is more effective and convincing from under center than from Gun in short-yardage and goalline.

 

Look at a team like Trinity. They have the capacity in their system to operate from under center as well and shotgun and pistol.

I’m a fan of play action pass.

I've always been partial to the Power-I when you're in a goal line situation, for at LEAST two of your four downs, assuming it's a first and goal situation. Throw two fullbacks in the backfield with the tailback (we used to put out our Mike linebacker as the second fullback), and let them ram things right up the center.

Football inside five yard line should be simpler than coaches make it. RUN A DIVE behind your best 2 linemen 3 times. Why hand it to a stationary RB five yards deep??? I loved Coach Redmond's set when he lined up with a back right off Qbs rear end.

Football inside five yard line should be simpler than coaches make it. RUN A DIVE behind your best 2 linemen 3 times. Why hand it to a stationary RB five yards deep??? I loved Coach Redmond's set when he lined up with a back right off Qbs rear end.

 

Stationary being the key word. There is a big difference handing the ball off to a back who is already moving HARD towards the line of scrimmage and one who it taking in the gun or the pistol. If you are not throwing a slant or fade or rolling qb out and are just going between the tackles then as soon as you snap the ball that qb or rb now has to gain 5 or 6 yards from a stance instead of 2 or 3.

I personally prefer QB under center with 2 RB. I say ground and pound inside the 10.

But there are teams that don’t have the size to do that so a shotgun can still be effective if you have the right weapons on the field.