Pistol offense The pistol offense is an American football formation and strategy developed by Michael Taylor and Tom Kaczkowski , and popularized by Chris Ault in 2005 while he was head coach at the University of Nevada . It is a hybrid of the traditional shotgun and single back offenses . In the pistol offense , also commonly referred to as the " pistol formation " , the quarterback lines up four yards behind the center , which is much closer than the seven - yard setback in a traditional shotgun formation . The running back then lines up three yards directly behind the quarterback , which is in contrast to the shotgun , where they are beside each other . It is argued that the position of the quarterback in the pistol formation strikes an advantageous compromise : the quarterback is close enough to the line of scrimmage to be able to read the defense , as with run situation sets such as the I Formation , but far enough back to give him extra time and a better vision of the field for passing plays , as in the shotgun . The pistol formation is thus very versatile , particularly if the quarterback himself is a threat to run the ball , which makes it difficult for the defense to correctly anticipate the play . This flexibility is enhanced by the Read Option , where the quarterback reacts to the response of the defensive players to the snap , and makes a rapid decision whether to hand off the ball to the running back , keep it and complete a pass to a downfield receiver , or keep it and run himself . History . Tom Kaczkowski and Michael Taylor developed the Pistol Offense ( called the " Shotgun I " at that time ) in 1999 - 2000 while Tom Kaczkowski coaching at Division III Ohio Northern University , as a way of adding a greater running dimension to his passing game . University of Nevada head coach Chris Ault popularized the formation ( and renamed it the " Pistol " ) in 2005 . While the pistol offense has been experimented with by dozens of college football teams such as LSU , Syracuse , Indiana , and Missouri , Ault ' s Nevada Wolf Pack is most strongly associated with the formation . Using the Pistol Offense , during the 2009 season , Nevada led the nation in rushing at 345 yards a game and were second in total offense at 506 yards . The Wolf Pack also became the first team in college football history with three 1 , 000 - yard rushers in the same season : quarterback Colin Kaepernick and running backs Luke Lippincott and Vai Taua . Football Championship Subdivision team James Madison University used " The Pistol " to help beat # 13 ranked Virginia Tech on September 11 , 2010 . The pistol has also made the transition to the NFL , mainly being used by the Carolina Panthers with Cam Newton and Robert Griffin III of the Washington Redskins , as well as the aforementioned Kaepnernick with the San Francisco 49ers , who in the NFL Playoffs versus the Green Bay Packers set the all - time single game rushing record for a quarterback with 181 yards . Along with the wildcat , the pistol has added more of a college " playmaker " aspect to the professional game . On December 5 , 2010 , the Pittsburgh Steelers utilized the Pistol offense so quarterback Ben Roethlisberger could play with a bad foot . Advantages . The pistol formation can be used in a variety of ways , because the quarterback is closer to the line of scrimmage than a traditional shotgun formation . This allows him to see more easily over the line and make downfield reads . He will also get the ball snapped to him faster , which can alter timing patterns greatly for a preparing defense . The pistol offense can effectively use draw plays , counters , and options using three - wide receiver formations or multiple tight end s combined with a fullback for pass protection . In a pistol formation , hand - offs occur 2 - 3 yards closer to the line of scrimmage than in the shotgun . In the traditional shotgun , run plays are most effectively run to the side opposite the running back , without a cutback to the other side . In the pistol , run ' s can effectively be executed to both sides of the QB , opening up more options for the offense . This can make for a more effective running game , but may limit pass efficiency due to quicker recognition of play - action by linebackers and defensive backs . This formation works well with dual threat quarterbacks who can both throw and run and is also used when quarterback ' s mobility has been limited by injury . Usage . The following American college football teams have used some aspect of the pistol offense : The following NFL teams have used some aspect of the pistol offense :