Virginia beginning to incorporate shotgun formation into offense

Early on in training camp, Virginia continued to install the basic aspects of the team’s new pro-style offense. As camp has progressed, the Cavaliers have moved on to more advanced components of their offensive attack, such as the shotgun formation. Coach Mike London said that in recent days the team has begun inserting some shotgun plays into practice, specifically during third down situations.

“We have kind of incorporated that into where we are right now in the installation of the offense,” London said. “You'll see more of it. You'll see more of it as the situations dictate it. But the shotgun, obviously with the quarterback back there, is an important element for the offense.”

One thing that drew London’s ire early on in camp was the number of dropped snaps between the centers and the quarterbacks. So far, he said, there have not been similar issues while executing plays out of the shotgun formation.

“The QB-center exchange when guys are just flat putting the ball on the ground because the center's not snapping like he should or the quarterback is trying to get out of their quickly because he's got a pulling guard,” London said. “The shotgun snaps have been a whole lot better. I don't remember a shotgun snap sailing over the head or dribbling back to the quarterback, so we'll continue to work on the QB-center exchange from under” center.