Pre-Snap Advantage: How Offensive Shifts and Motions are Changing the NFL Playbook
The modern NFL is a chess match played at warp speed. While brute strength and athleticism remain crucial, the teams that consistently dominate are those who can outsmart their opponents before the ball is even snapped. Offensive shifts and motions, once considered mere window dressing, have become indispensable tools for gaining a pre-snap advantage, dictating defensive alignments, and creating favorable matchups. In 2023, the San Francisco 49ers led the league in offensive points per game with 28.4, a testament to their innovative use of pre-snap movement orchestrated by head coach Kyle Shanahan.
The Evolution of Pre-Snap Tactics
Pre-snap motion is not a new concept. However, its usage and sophistication have evolved dramatically. In the past, a simple motion across the formation might have been used to gauge whether a defense was in man or zone coverage. Today, offenses employ a complex array of shifts and motions designed to:
- Identify Defensive Coverage: As Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams noted, motion can provide “tips and tells” about the defensive scheme. If a defender follows a receiver in motion, it’s likely man coverage. If not, it’s likely zone.
- Create Favorable Matchups: Moving a receiver from one side of the field to another can force a defense to adjust, potentially creating a mismatch against a slower linebacker or smaller cornerback.
- Exploit Communication Breakdowns: Complex pre-snap movements can confuse defenses, leading to miscommunications and blown assignments.
- Influence Run Blocking Angles: A well-timed shift can create an advantageous blocking angle for a running play, opening up a lane for the ball carrier.
- Increase Player Speed at the Snap: Motion allows a player to be at full speed at the snap of the ball.
According to Next Gen Stats, offenses are increasingly turning to pre-snap movements to gain a competitive edge. The latest addition to the Next Gen Stats toolbox, Offensive Shift and Motion Classification, is here to decode these strategies. Using pre-snap tracking data, this metric analyzes variables like speed, acceleration, and distance traveled by offensive players once the line is set. By employing an isolation forest model, the algorithm classifies movements into shifts, motions, and motions at the snap.
Key Concepts: Shifts vs. Motions
It’s important to distinguish between shifts and motions. Shifts involve simultaneous position changes by multiple players, while motions refer to the movement of a single player. “Motion at the snap” indicates a player is still moving as the play begins.
The Shanahan and McVay Effect
Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers and Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams are widely regarded as the foremost innovators in offensive football, and their creative use of pre-snap motion has revolutionized the game. According to The 33rd Team, nobody has put more of a stamp on the NFL offensive meta than Shanahan in the past decade.
Shanahan’s system puts defenses in a run/pass bind through creative deployment and savvy play sequencing. McVay, like Shanahan, has morphed through the years as well. When McVay first took over with Jared Goff at quarterback, all the Los Angeles Rams offense wanted to do was run weak zone and throw play-action crossers.
The Rams’ high usage of pre-snap motion directly correlates with their offensive success. In 2024, Los Angeles is averaging 1.4 more yards per play and its success rate is 8.0% higher (48.6%) when pre-snap motion is deployed. In fact, the Rams utilize shifts or motions on 82.1% of snaps, the highest rate in the NFL.
The “Cheat Motion” Revolution
In 2023, Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel popularized a short “out-motion” or “cheat motion,” a concept that quickly spread throughout the league. This subtle movement, often by a receiver or running back, can influence defensive alignment and create confusion.
Potential Downsides
While pre-snap motion offers numerous advantages, it’s not without its risks. As noted by steelersdepot.com, it can trigger unexpected pressure, lead to penalties, and limit the number of vertical threats an offense can pose. Furthermore, it takes time off the clock, potentially affecting the tempo of the game.
Teams Leading the Charge
Several teams have embraced pre-snap motion as a core component of their offensive strategy. Besides the 49ers, Dolphins, and Rams, the Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers are also among the league’s most frequent users of motion. According to The 33rd Team, during the past three NFL seasons, pre-snap motion usage has dramatically increased, not only in the running game but also in the passing game. Since 2021, motion in the passing game has increased by more than 1,000 more dropbacks while also increasing about 1,000 more rush attempts.
The Future of Pre-Snap Offense
As defenses become more sophisticated in their ability to recognize and react to pre-snap movement, offenses will need to continue to innovate. This could involve:
- More complex and deceptive motion patterns: Offenses may use multiple motions and shifts on a single play to further confuse defenses.
- Increased use of pre-snap reads and audibles: Quarterbacks will need to become even more adept at reading defensive alignments and changing plays at the line of scrimmage based on pre-snap information.
- Integration of technology: Teams may use advanced analytics and player tracking data to identify the most effective motion patterns and matchups.
The pre-snap battle is now a critical aspect of NFL play, and teams that can master the art of offensive shifts and motions will have a significant advantage in the years to come. The game continues to evolve, and the offenses that can adapt and innovate will be the ones that ultimately succeed.