Walk into any NFL locker room or turn on any football broadcast, and you’ll hear coaches, players, and analysts constantly talking about “11 personnel.” But what does this mysterious term actually mean? And why is it so important in today’s game?
In football, personnel refers to which players are on the field at any given time. The 11 personnel in football grouping has become the bread and butter of modern NFL offenses because it gives teams the perfect balance of running and passing options.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what 11 personnel means, why it’s taken over the NFL, and how it compares to other offensive personnel groupings.
Personnel in Football: Complete Guide
Personnel in football simply means which players are on the field for any particular play. Every offensive play requires exactly 11 players on the field: five offensive linemen, one quarterback, and five other skill position players. The skill positions include running back, tight end, wide receiver, and sometimes fullback.
Coaches describe offensive personnel by counting the number of running backs and tight ends on the field. They don’t count the quarterback or offensive linemen because those positions stay the same on every play. The wide receiver fill in whatever spots are left over.
Defensive personnel works differently – defensive coordinators adjust their personnel to match what the offense is doing. If an offense puts three wide receivers on the field, the defense might bring in an extra defensive back to cover them.
Personnel groupings matter because they tell the defense what the offense might be planning. More running backs usually means more running plays. More wide receiver typically means more passing plays.
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What is 11 Personnel in Football?
What is 11 personnel in football? The answer is surprisingly simple once you understand the numbering system.
11 personnel means the offense has:
- 1 running back
- One tight end
- Three wide receivers
- Plus the standard five offensive linemen and 1 quarterback
The first digit tells you the number of running backs. The second digit tells you the number of tight ends. The remaining skill positions are automatically wide receiver.
Here’s a typical 11 personnel formation: The quarterback stands in the shotgun position. One running back lines up in the backfield. One tight end lines up on the line of scrimmage. Three wide receivers spread out across the field.
This grouping has become the most common personnel package in the NFL because it offers incredible versatility. Teams can run game effectively with their running back, or they can spread the defense out with three wide receivers and attack through the passing game.
How Personnel Groupings Work in Football
Understanding how coaches communicate personnel packages follows a simple pattern that every coach learns in football 101. The first digit always represents the number of running backs on the field. The second digit represents the number of tight ends.
For example, 21 personnel means 2 running backs and 1 tight end. 12 personnel means 1 running back and two tight ends. 13 personnel means 1 running back and three tight ends. 10 personnel means 1 running back and 0 tight ends. 22 personnel means 2 running backs and 2 tight ends.
Offensive personnel packages get communicated to players through hand signals, wristband codes, or calling out numbers. This system makes it easy for coaches to quickly communicate complex information about which package they want to use.
Why 11 Personnel is So Popular in the NFL
The rise of 11 personnel in the NFL didn’t happen by accident. This personnel group has taken over modern offense because it creates problems for defenses.
First, 11 personnel offers flexibility for play calling. With 1 running back in the backfield, teams can run all their favorite rushing plays. The run game stays effective because you have a dedicated ball carrier. At the same time, having three wide receivers means the passing game has plenty of options.
Second, this grouping spreads defenses out. When you put three wide receivers on the field, the defense has to decide whether to stay in their base defensive alignment or bring in extra defensive backs. Most teams now use a nickel package as their base against 11 personnel.
Third, 11 personnel creates natural mismatches. Linebackers struggle to cover wide receiver in space. These conflicts give good coach and quarterback opportunities to find weaknesses. The versatility also helps with no-huddle offenses since most plays can be run from this personnel package.
11 Personnel vs Other Offensive Personnel Packages
To understand why 11 personnel dominates, let’s compare it to other common grouping used in the NFL.
12 personnel gives offenses more blocking power for running plays but is less effective at stretching defenses because you only have 2 receivers on the field. The New England Patriots have used 11 personnel very effectively.
21 personnel is the classic power running formation. Having 2 running backs allows for lead blocking and physical running concepts. The downside is limited receiving options.
13 personnel is a heavy, goal-line package. Three tight ends create massive blocking advantages, but there’s almost no passing threat.
10 personnel is pure spread offense. This maximizes passing options but makes running much harder since you don’t have a tight end to help with blocking.
22 personnel is old-school football for goal line situations where teams need maximum blocking power.
The reason 11 personnel beats these alternatives is balance. It gives you legitimate threats in both run game and passing game.
How 11 Personnel Affects the Defense
When offenses show 11 personnel, defensive coordinators face immediate decisions about their own personnel usage. The presence of three wide receivers forces the defense out of their base defense.
The most common defensive response is the nickel package. This means bringing in a fifth defensive back to match up with the third wide receiver. The defense typically takes out a linebacker for this extra defensive back.
This creates interesting matchups. The nickel package gives defenses better coverage against receivers on the field, but it can be more vulnerable to running plays because there’s one fewer linebacker in the box.
Some defensive coordinators try to stay in base defense against 11 personnel, which means having a linebacker cover the slot wide receiver. Most NFL receivers on the field can create separation against linebackers on crossing routes.
Examples of 11 Personnel in the NFL
Modern NFL offenses have made 11 personnel their foundation. Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams have built their system around 11 personnel. McVay uses motion and shifts to create different looks from the same basic personnel package.
Teams across the league now use 11 personnel on roughly 60-70% of their offensive plays. This represents a huge increase from even 10 years ago, when 12 personnel and 21 personnel were more common.
Some effective plays from 11 personnel include run-pass options where the quarterback reads the defense, four vertical routes that stretch the defense deep, quick slants that take advantage of soft coverage, and screen passes to the running back.
The tendency data shows teams are most successful with 11 personnel when they keep defenses guessing about run or pass calls.
How Coaches Decide Which Personnel Package to Use
Coach decision-making around personnel usage involves thinking several steps ahead. Down and distance play a huge role. On first down, 11 personnel offers flexibility. On third and long, teams might shift to 10 personnel. On third and short, 12 personnel might provide better blocking.
Field position also matters. Near the goal line, teams often switch to heavier personnel like 13 personnel. Game situation creates another layer – when behind, teams use more 10 personnel. When ahead, 21 personnel helps control the clock.
The best coaches use different personnel to disguise intentions. A head coach might call 12 personnel but motion the tight end out wide to create a formation that looks like 11 personnel.
Impact of 11 Personnel on Running and Passing
11 personnel supports both sides of the offensive attack. For running, one running back gives you a dedicated ball carrier. One tight end adds blocking. Three wide receivers can block downfield.
The passing game benefits even more. Having three wide receivers creates route combinations that stress different levels of the defense. Play-action becomes effective because the defense must respect the running threat.
The key difference from packages with 2 running backs is that 11 personnel gives you more speed and route-running ability. That third wide receiver creates more problems for defensive personnel.
The Future of Offensive Personnel Groupings in Football
Several factors suggest 11 personnel will remain popular. The continuing emphasis on passing favors personnel packages with more receivers on the field. However, some trends might push teams toward different personnel approaches.
The versatility required for modern 11 personnel creates challenges. Finding a running back who can pass protect and catch is difficult. Tight end need to block and run routes. Some coaches might use hybrid players or return to older personnel packages.
Conclusion
What is 11 personnel in football opens up a new way of watching the game. This personnel package – with 1 running back, 1 tight end, and three wide receivers – has become the foundation of modern NFL offenses.
Next time you watch an NFL game, pay attention to offensive personnel groupings. Notice how the defense adjusts their personnel in response. Understanding these concepts will help you see the strategic depth of football.
FAQs
1. What does 11 personnel mean in football? 11 personnel means 1 running back, 1 tight end, and 3 wide receivers on the field.
2. Why is 11 personnel so common in the NFL? It offers perfect balance between running and passing options and creates mismatches.
3. What’s the difference between 11 personnel and 12 personnel? 11 personnel has 1 tight end and 3 wide receivers, while 12 personnel has 2 tight ends and 2 wide receivers.
4. How does the defense adjust to 11 personnel? Most teams use a nickel package – bringing in a fifth defensive back.
5. What are offensive personnel packages in football? Offensive personnel packages are different combinations of skill position players teams put on the field.
6. How do coaches decide on which personnel package to use? Coaches consider down and distance, field position, game situation, and tendency
