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AFM Magazine


What\'s the Rush?

The G-Option adds versatility to game
by: Barney Cotton
Offensive Coordinator, New Mexico State
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When New Mexico State head coach Tony Samuel selected a coaching staff to join him in Las Cruces three years ago, the first priority was to put a physical team on the field. The other coaches and I made a commitment to run the ball. During the past two seasons, the Aggies were ranked 7th and 13th in rushing offense.

Since all of the coaches have worked with Nebraska teams, it's easy to understand why the option is an integral part of our offensive package. The G-Option is one of the options we use.

The G-Option is a versatile option that can be run either to the tight end side or open side of a two-back, I-formation set. It is an option that allows the quarterback to use the force player and not take the punishment from a hard-crashing rush end.

Our rules up front are:

* Tight End - Left, linebacker

* Right Tackle - Left, Combo

* Right Guard - Pull-log or trap man on tight end

* Center - Right seam, linebacker

* Left Guard - Right seam, linebacker

* Left Tackle - Right seam, sift

The backfield rules are as follows:

* Fullback: Take lead step with playside foot aiming at inside hip of playside tackle. On the second step, plant and read guard's pull. If the guard logs end man, bounce for outside cut on playside inside linebacker. Stay one yard behind and one yard deeper than guard. If guard traps end man, stay on path for outside hip of first inside linebacker

* I-Back: Open and take option path with objective of being two yards deeper and five yards wider than the QB.

* Quarterback: Reverse out and give token fake to fullback. Keep depth. Do not ride fullback into line of scrimmage. Stay in outside hip relationship with fullback and one yard behind. If fullback reads log, follow fullback outside, option force. If fullback reads trap, quarterback iso.

* Z - Block first deep man, double read.

This is what the G-Option looks like vs. three common defenses to the tight end: (See Diagrams 1, 2 & 3)


Diagram 1


Diagram 2


Diagram 3

Versus any front when the playside tackle is uncovered, the tight end will veer step with his inside foot. He will then work vertical and be responsible for the C-gap linebacker run through the backside linebacker. If the rush end slants to the C-gap, the tight end will wash the run on his second step.

Versus any front when the playside tackle is covered and the playside guard is uncovered, the tight end and tackle will combo block the rush protecting the tackle's inside gap to backside linebacker.

If the guard and tackle are covered, a call is made and both the tackle and tight end will pin.

From the center back, the G-Option is blocked similar to outside zone.

To alert the guard, the tight end will make a call to designate the position of the rush if the tackle is uncovered. The puller must hug the line of scrimmage and look to cut log the end man. If the end man is upfield and leverages, trap. If the end man slow plays, the puller must attack the outside hip of the end man and run, giving the quarterback a possible two ways to go. If the end man crosses the tight end's face, wrap pull for linebacker.

There are a couple of change-ups that are available when attacking a three-six technique side or a three-seven technique side. The first is basing the six or seven technique with the tight end. This is a scheme that may be employed if the tight end is able to single block the rush. The pulling guard is now responsible for the playside linebacker, the fullback is able to go to the free safety and the Z locks on outside.(See Diagram 4)


Diagram 4

A second change-up is to release the tight end to the free safety, with Z locking on outside. The guards' and fullback's responsibility remain the same. (See Diagram 5)


Diagram 5

The G-Option may also be run to an open side, all rules up front and in the backfield remain the same. When run to a two wide receiver side, the receivers will bypass the first defender outside the rush. The quarterback will option this defender. (See Diagrams 6 & 7)


Diagram 6


Diagram 7

One note, we are redundant on the backside inside linebacker. Versus any front, we try to assign two blockers to the backside inside linebacker. This defender is most dangerous to the G-Option.

The G-Option is a very effective option against most fronts. It is especially effective versus. uncovered tackle fronts. It provides the offense with a play to get the quarterback on the perimeter.

One drawback to the G-Option is that it is labor intensive. It requires a large number of practice reps to time up the guard, fullback and quarterback relationships.

To enhance the G-Option we include a G fullback trap. The trap is not only an effective play in itself, but it also enhances the G-Option by keeping the playside inside linebacker honest.

The G fullback trap employs the same up front rules as the G-Option with one variation. Versus a three-six or three-seven technique alignment, the tight end will wrap around and crack the playside linebacker. (See Diagrams 8, 9 & 10)


Diagram 8


Diagram 9


Diagram 10

It is essential that the quarterback an I-Back carry out a hard option fake. Then the fullback must hug the pin or combo and go vertical trying to come under the flow of the playside linebacker.

A crack by a wide receiver may also be employed to pin a playside linebacker. This would allow the fullback to bounce outside the crack and then go vertical.(See Diagram 11)


Diagram 11

The G fullback trap may be run to an open side. Versus a defense that fast flows its playside linebacker, the G fullback trap forces the backside linebacker to make the play. (See Diagram 12)


Diagram 12

The G-Option and G fullback trap are effective against perimeter blitzes. The may also force defenses to re-evaluate their blitz packages.

The G-Option and G fullback trap are effective against perimeter blitzes. The may also force defenses to re-evaluate their blitz packages. (See Diagram 13 & 14)


Diagram 13


Diagram 14






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