Wing-T Secrets to Putting Safeties in Conflict for Game-Breaking Plays - Joey Montoya

Joey Montoya, Head Coach, Placer HS, CA felt that they needed to address the following problems to improve their wing-t offense.

• How can we put safeties and defenses in conflict?
• How can we gain players at the point of attack?
• How can we set safeties up for failure during the course of a game?

The video below shows part of the answers he came up with.  For all of his answers, visit Glazier Drive and view: Creating Ways to Get Guys out of the Box in the Wing-T  

The video discusses strategies for handling aggressive safeties in the Wing-T offense, particularly when facing teams with exceptional defensive backs who can both defend the pass and support the run from 7 yards deep. The presenter shares several key solutions:

1. Formation Strategy

• Using varied formations to manipulate defensive alignment
• Snapping the ball quickly (under 4 seconds) to prevent defensive adjustments
• Creating numerical advantages at the point of attack
• Getting defenders out of the box through formation design

2. Modernization of Wing-T Concepts

• Incorporating RPO (Run-Pass Option) elements into the traditional Wing-T
• Running multiple plays from similar formations
• Maintaining core plays (belly, down, buck sweep, jig) while adding new wrinkles
• Using formation variations of traditional plays

3. Play Action and Passing Game

• Attacking aggressive safeties with play action passes
• Setting up passing plays through established run success
• Using formation tendencies to create defensive conflicts
• Emphasizing realistic run-action faking to sell play-action passes

Coach Montoya uses game film examples from high-stakes matchups (including state championship games) to demonstrate these concepts, showing both successful and unsuccessful plays while explaining the tactical thinking behind each one. There's particular emphasis on adapting these strategies when working with limited talent at the high school level.

The overarching theme is creating systematic answers to elite safety play through formation, tempo, and strategic play-calling rather than relying solely on traditional Wing-T concepts.