Offense · Personnel
Offensive Personnel
When you hear 11 personnel, 12 personnel or 21 personnel, the numbers are simply telling you which skill-position players are on the field.
Start Here
What Is It?
Personnel tells you which types of offensive players are on the field before the offense even lines up.
You'll often hear an announcer say something like "Michigan comes out in 12 personnel." It sounds like football code, but the system is actually very simple.
The first number tells you the number of running backs. The second number tells you the number of tight ends.
The number of wide receivers is whatever is left after accounting for the quarterback and five offensive linemen.
Football Watching 101
How It Works
Every normal offensive formation has five offensive linemen and one quarterback. That leaves five eligible skill-position players.
So if Michigan uses 11 personnel, the first "1" means one running back and the second "1" means one tight end.
That accounts for two of the five skill players. The remaining three are usually wide receivers.
The Formula
11 Personnel = 1 RB + 1 TE + 3 WR
11 Personnel Example
A simple 11 personnel example — players can line up in many different formations
The Reason
Why Teams Use It
Personnel forces the defense to make decisions before the offense even lines up.
More wide receivers may force the defense to put additional defensive backs on the field. More tight ends or running backs may make the defense use bigger personnel to help against the run.
The offense can then use formations and motion to create matchups with those defenders.
The important thing to remember is that personnel does not tell you what play is coming. Teams can run from spread personnel and throw from heavier personnel.
Remember These
Common Personnel Groups
10 Personnel
1 running back, 0 tight ends and usually 4 wide receivers. A very spread-out grouping.
11 Personnel
1 running back, 1 tight end and usually 3 wide receivers. One of the most common personnel groups in modern football.
12 Personnel
1 running back, 2 tight ends and usually 2 wide receivers. It can create both strong running formations and difficult passing matchups.
13 Personnel
1 running back, 3 tight ends and usually 1 wide receiver. Often associated with heavier formations and short-yardage football.
20 Personnel
2 running backs, 0 tight ends and usually 3 wide receivers.
21 Personnel
2 running backs, 1 tight end and usually 2 wide receivers. Often seen when an offense uses a fullback or two-back formations.
22 Personnel
2 running backs, 2 tight ends and usually 1 wide receiver. A heavy grouping commonly associated with physical run formations.
The Numbers Don't Dictate The Play
A heavy personnel group can pass. A spread personnel group can run. Personnel tells you who is on the field—not what they are about to do.
Watch The Game Differently
What Should I Watch For On Saturday?
Start by finding the running back. Then count the tight ends.
If Michigan has one running back and one tight end, you're probably looking at 11 personnel. One running back and two tight ends means 12 personnel.
Then watch what happens when Michigan changes personnel. Does the defense substitute? Does a linebacker leave and another defensive back enter? Does the defense get bigger?
That substitution battle is part of the chess match happening before the ball is ever snapped.
Keep Learning
Related Concepts
Lesson 02
Formations
Now that you know who is on the field, learn how to recognize where those players line up.