Thoughts on Running The Option Offense
We ran the option with great success in 1991 and, given the choice, it's really my favorite offense to run. Naturally you have to have the right personnel to run it and you have to work at it. Here are a few thoughts on running the Option.
The single biggest mistake that I see quarterbacks make when they run the option is they cross the face of their pitch read (PR). Never, never, never cross his face. When you cross the pitch read's face you allow him to keep his hips parallel to the line of scrimmage and slide down the line stringing the play out.
If you choose to pitch the ball he can flow easily to the pitchback and shut down the play. Attack the PR's inside hip. That forces him to decide; is he going to turn his hips towards you and square up to tackle you, or is he going to stay parallel to the line and play pitch?
Force him to make a decision or else the play is busted.
- Practice the elements of the play over and over and over. Proper execution of the dive ride is important to the play. A good pitch can mean the difference between a touchdown and a turnover. My last option QB would carry a football with him everywhere, pitching left and right to anybody who would catch it and toss it back.
- The best tip I repeat to my QBs is to step right at whom you're pitching to.
- It's important for your pitch back to maintain the 4x4 or 5x5 (that's 5 yards deep by 5 yards outside) relationship with the quarterback. It's the pitch back's job to maintain the relationship. Not the quarterback's.
- On the dive ride the quarterback should reach back with the back of his upfield hand and find the stomach of his dive back. Bring the ball to his hand and ride it all the way thru. The dive back must NOT take the ball from the quarterback; rather he ACCEPTS the ball if the quarterback presses it into his stomach. Quarterback: if you want to give the ball to the dive, pull your back hand out and press the football into his stomach. Otherwise pull the ball out with both hands.
- One thing that can kill the option quickly is too much penetration on the playside. Make sure your offensive linemen realize that they cannot allow themselves to be pushed back into the play. A standoff is o.k. but they cannot get pushed back.
The fundamental concept behind the option is that, unlike most running plays where the QB is told who to give the ball to and where, the QB in the option is told to read the defense and give the ball to a different player depending upon how the defense reacts to the play action.
For example, if the defense in the middle plays soft the QB might give the ball to the fullback running up the middle. If the defense collapses aggressively to the middle the QB will NOT give the ball to the fullback and will, instead, come down the line to the outside looking to pitch it to the tailback swinging out wide.
Most teams that run the option run it in a way I find curious. They have the QB use a defensive tackle for the dive read. To my way of thinking this is more difficult, especially for a young QB, because he has to be able to read a more subtle action and the defensive tackle might get caught up in the line play where the QB has a hard time seeing them. I've always taught it to read a middle or inside linebacker because that player has to take a more definite action which is easier for the QB to see.
Here's the progression I use on our freeze option, our base play, from the QB's perspective.
1. Huddle. Call the play and snap count clearly. Repeat it twice. Look at your teammates - make sure they're paying attention.
2. Come to the line of scrimmage briskly, let your teammates (especially the split end who has a ways to go) get set. Use the opportunity to look over the defense.
3. Pre-snap read. Count how many defenders are to the left of the center. Any players head-up on the center count for 1/2. Subtract the number of players to the left from 11 to get the number of players on the right. If the defense is significantly unbalanced, consider calling an audible to a play that takes advantage of the weakness.
4. Snap count. Audible or fake audible convincingly. Concentrate on the count and be ready for the snap.
5. Snap. Receive the ball surely and securely. Take your eyes immediately to your dive read - the first opponent off the line of scrimmage, either head up to play-side of the center.
6. Ride. Reach your play-side (i.e. left if we're going left) empty hand back to find the fullback's belly as he comes through. Keep your eyes on the dive read as you bring the ball with your other hand to your hand in his belly. If the linebacker does anything but fill the hole, pull your play-side hand out and press the football into the fullback's belly as he comes through.
If the linebacker does fill the hole, pull the ball back to your chest, let the fullback pass in front of you and go down the line. With or without the ball take your eyes immediately to your pitch read - the first defender head up to outside the end man on the line of scrimmage - and attack his inside hip.
7. Down the line. If you pulled the ball back from the fullback, immediately attack the inside hip of your pitch read. This is CRUCIAL. The number one mistake I see option QBs make that kills the option is crossing the face of their pitch read. The allows the pitch read to float, flow down the line of scrimmage and string the play out allowing his teammates a chance to stop the play before it can turn the corner.
Attack his inside hip, force him to stand his ground and give your pitch back as much room to the sideline as possible.
8. The pitch read. If the pitch read has his hips parallel to the line of scrimmage, look to keep the ball and turn up field. There's no way he's going to be able to tackle you if he's turned sideways to you.
If the pitch read turns his hips perpendicular to the line of scrimmage and faces you, pitch to the tailback. There is no way that the pitch read should be able to turn 180 degrees and catch our tailback who has a running start. If he can then either he's a fantastic athlete or our tailback is way too slow.
9. Mental points for the QB.
Always carry out your fakes.
Keep your eyes open.
Think - good decisions make the offense go.
Relax and handle the ball well.
