Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > Sports

Take the American Football Strategy Knowledge Test

Challenge Your Gridiron Tactics and Playbook IQ

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Yellow RoseUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art depicting a quiz on American Football Strategy Knowledge Test

This American Football strategy quiz helps you practice playcalling, formations, and in-game decisions across 15 quick questions. Use it to spot gaps and sharpen your game sense before kickoff. For a change of pace, try some football trivia or brush up with the football rules quiz.

Which coverage structure is designed to defend the deep halves with two safeties while corners reroute and sink under verticals?
Quarters (Cover 4)
Cover 3
Cover 0
Cover 2
undefined
When facing frequent slot blitzes from a nickel defender, which hot adjustment best protects a quick game concept like stick?
Replace the blitz with an immediate throw to the vacated area
Convert to max protect and keep all receivers on their routes
Hold the ball and pump fake the flat route
Reverse the play to the opposite sideline
undefined
Which offensive personnel grouping typically signals 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 RB and can force defenses into nickel?
21 personnel
22 personnel
11 personnel
12 personnel
undefined
With a lead late in the fourth quarter, which approach prioritizes clock burn while staying efficient on the ground?
No-huddle tempo passing to the sidelines every snap
Hurry-up and spike after every play
Two-minute drill with frequent incompletions
Four-minute offense with safe runs and boundaried plays that keep the clock moving
undefined
In a 3rd-and-long situation, why might an offense choose a screen pass against a known five-man pressure team?
To isolate a receiver on a deep double-move
To invite rushers upfield and create space behind them for blockers
To force the defense into Cover 2
To protect the quarterback for a long-developing corner route
undefined
What is the primary advantage of play-action on early downs against single-high safety looks?
It guarantees a deep shot will be open
It eliminates the pass rush
It manipulates linebackers and the safety to open intermediate crossers
It forces the defense into prevent coverage
undefined
In two-minute offense with no timeouts and the ball inbounds, which play is most appropriate after a completion short of the sticks?
Hurry to the line and call a spike or an out route to stop the clock
Call a run up the middle to keep the defense honest
Throw a screen to the middle with no blockers
Huddle and change personnel
undefined
On 3rd-and-2 near midfield, which run concept best attacks an even front with 2i and 3-technique tackles when you want vertical displacement at the point of attack?
Counter GT to the weak side
Speed option to the perimeter
Inside zone duo (double teams to linebackers)
Outside zone with full-flow stretch
undefined
In red zone play design inside the 10-yard line, which concept best creates horizontal stretch against man coverage with limited vertical space?
Max-protect post-shot
Deep comeback routes at 18 yards
Four verts spread evenly across the field
Rub-pick combinations like mesh or switch releases
undefined
When the defense aligns a 9-tech edge and a wide corner force, what is a sound run answer to capture the edge defender's upfield charge?
Always check to a deep post shot
Call a draw or trap to exploit the upfield rush
Block down with receivers and pull the center outside
Run a toss directly at the 9-tech's outside shoulder
undefined
Which defensive front technique is most responsible for setting the edge and forcing the ball back inside on outside runs?
9-technique defensive end or outside linebacker as force/contain
2i-technique defensive tackle
1-technique nose shade
Mike linebacker in the A gap
undefined
Against a QB with strong scramble ability, which coverage tweak best limits explosive scrambles on 3rd-and-medium?
Rotate to Cover 0 and turn backs to QB
Bracket the X receiver with two deep safeties
Use a QB spy with a fast second-level defender
Run only drop-8 with no rush
undefined
Which special teams strategy is most appropriate when leading late and wanting to limit a dangerous returner?
Directional or pooch punt to pin near the sideline
Squib kick regardless of field position
Line-drive punt down the middle
Onside kick to surprise
undefined
What is the strategic value of bunch formations against press-man coverage?
They force the defense into zone coverage every time
They eliminate the need for motion
They create natural rubs and release angles that defeat jams
They guarantee a free deep release for the X
undefined
In an RPO (run-pass option) from shotgun, what is the quarterback primarily reading on a slant-bubble concept against a 6-man box and a nickel overhang?
The backside defensive end regardless of alignment
The overhang defender's leverage and fit toward the run or bubble
The weakside corner's pedal technique
The free safety's depth pre-snap only
undefined
Which defensive call adds a second-level rusher late while preserving two-high shell disguise pre-snap?
Corner cat
Creeper pressure
Zero blitz
Fire zone with three deep, three under
undefined
Against Quarters (Cover 4), which route combination most effectively stresses the safety with a high-low read on the same vertical?
Quick slant-flat spacing
Hitch-flat
Post-dig (Y-post with dig under)
Shallow cross with running back checkdown
undefined
Which situation most justifies going for it on 4th-and-2 near the opponent's 45-yard line?
When the play clock just started
When it is the first play of the game
When analytics show expected points gained exceeds punt value given offense strength
When your kicker has a strong leg from 70 yards
undefined
On a fire zone (3-under, 3-deep) pressure, which underneath zone is commonly vacated and must be replaced by a dropping defensive lineman?
Goal line
Seam-flat
Middle hook
Deep third
undefined
Against wide-9 alignments on passing downs, which protection adjustment best reduces interior pressure?
Full-slide or half-slide protections to pass off twists and reduce one-on-ones inside
Keep five out and free release the back every time
Always sprint out away from the wide-9
Call only seven-step drops
undefined
0

Learning Outcomes

  1. Analyse offensive formations to identify strategic strengths.
  2. Demonstrate understanding of defensive alignments and adjustments.
  3. Evaluate play-calling decisions in key game scenarios.
  4. Apply knowledge of down-and-distance strategies effectively.
  5. Identify situational tactics for red-zone and two-minute drills.
  6. Master reading opponent tendencies to anticipate plays.

Cheat Sheet

  1. I Formation - Dive into the classic power-running setup that stacks blockers behind the fullback for bruising rushes. It's perfect for short-yardage situations and teaching leverage and angles. Learn about the I Formation
  2. 4 - 4 Defense - Master the stout front with four down linemen and four linebackers aimed at smothering ground attacks. It's a staple for teams that refuse to give up the point-of-attack. Explore the 4 - 4 Defense
  3. Wildcat Formation - Unleash chaos by snapping directly to a playmaker other than the quarterback to keep defenders guessing. It's a gadget play that thrives on misdirection and speed. Check out the Wildcat
  4. T Formation - Step back in time with the T formation, the granddaddy of modern offenses that set the stage for today's complex playbooks. It's a perfect case study in evolution of motion and spacing. Discover the T Formation
  5. Flexbone Formation - Get hands-on with the triple-option attack that stresses defenses by forcing them to cover pitch, dive, and quarterback reads. It's all about discipline, precision, and explosive gaps. Unpack the Flexbone
  6. Defensive Line Techniques (4i Front) - Understand how the 4i alignment shades off-tackle gaps to disrupt blocking schemes. These techniques are vaults to dissect how lines win the trenches. Study defensive line tactics
  7. NFL Formations 101 - Break down the X's and O's of basic offensive and defensive setups in the pros. Grasping these will build a strong foundation for any budding play-caller. Explore NFL basics
  8. Single Set Back - Discover the one-back look that blends power runs with quick-passing options for a balanced attack. It's a go-to for teams that want versatility without tipping their hand. Learn about Single Set Back
  9. Reading Opponent Tendencies - Hone your film-study skills to pick up on formations, motions, and play-calling cues. Anticipation is your secret weapon for making clutch defensive adjustments. Dig into opponent scouting
  10. Situational Tactics - Master red-zone efficiency and two-minute drills to become a calm, collected play-maker in crunch time. These scenarios define games and separate good teams from great ones. Sharpen your situational play
Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Sports Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker