Unusual Options

With the coming of eight-man front defenses, popularized by Virginia Tech and the use of zone blitzes, bear blitzes and other pressure defenses, the option game has resurfaced in college football. Just about every team, regardless of their offensive philosophy, has added some form of an option attack to their playbook. I think everyone realizes the value of a mobile quarterback and it seems logical to use his mobility to run an occasional option to keep the defense honest. We pick a couple of unique options per game to use in conjunction with our traditional options to spice up our game plan that we use.

SHOT GUN OPTIONS

Frank Solich at Nebraska does a great job of running this option. It's a single lead option offense that is effective in a blitz defense or against a nickel defense. (Diagram 1).


Diagram 1

The offensive line zone or gap blocks and leaves the end man on the line of scrimmage unblocked.

Blocking rules:

Onside tackle - first LB inside unless help call from the guard. If help call rod the man over the guard first then go to the LB.

Onside guard - Base man on or over. Help call us wide 3 technique.

Center - Man on, if uncovered block the MLB to backside LB.

Off Guard - backside cut off.

Off Tackle - backside cut off.

Flanker - Keep corner from saving a TD.

Onside SE - Stalk.

Onside Slot - Block OLB unless the OLB is on the line of scrimmage - if the OLB is on the line of scrimmage, the slot should load block down on the Defensive End (Diagram #2).


Diagram 2

Running back - Drop steps, crossover and look for the ball.

QB - Receive the snap, attack the inside shoulder of the defensive end. Pitch the ball every time unless the defensive end comes up field, then run for the first down. If the OLB is on the line, expect the slot to load, the DE so now the QB would pitch off the OLB.

VARIATIONS

Putting the slot in motion is a great way to see if the defense is playing man-to-man. If the OLB runs with the shot - the option weak is excellent (Diagram 3) - if the OLB stays then the option to the motion is good. (Diagram 4).

The same option can be run from a two back gun (Diagram 5).


Diagram 3


Diagram 4


Diagram 5

This involves no change in any assignment. However, if the OLB to the SE side is on the LOS, we can check to the Load to the TE side. The assignment for the offensive line stays the same, however the TE would now block the DE and the fullback would seal the scrape LB (Diagram 6).

Another variation is to have the FB block the strong safety and the TE seal the scrape OLB. The QB's pitch key is now the DE (Diagram 7).


Diagram 6


Diagram 7


Diagram 8

UPSIDE DOWN OPTIONS

An upside down option is also an effective option that can be used in a passing situation from an empty or no back set (Diagram 8). This is the old shovel pass.

The offensive line blocks the same rules as the shot gun options. The wide receivers stalk and the TE seals the outside LB. The quarterback opens at a 45 degree angle and gets on his sprint path. His job is to lure the DE to him and then shovel it to the backside slot coming across the formation. If the DE refuses to come up field, then the QB must sprint and execute a QB sweep and the slot should try to get a block on the sitting DE.

VARIATIONS

If the outside LB is in a blitz position the TE will block the DE and the QB will execute the shovel off the outside backer (Diagram 9).


Diagram 9

Another effective variation of the shovel pass is to motion the fullback opposite from a one back set and shovel the ball to the opposite TE (Diagram 10). We give the QB the additional option of throwing the ball to the fullback if no one covers him (Diagram 11). The QB takes the snap, takes one big step back and throws the ball to the FB.

Another effective variation of the shovel pass is to run it from the shotgun or the no back gun. This gives an offense a nice wrinkle to the shotgun attack.

The first shovel is off a fake screen to the FB. The fake to the FB should get backers running opposite the shovel (Diagram 12).

The only coaching point is that the slot receiving the shovel should delay a count before coming across the formation.


Diagram 10


Diagram 11


Diagram 12

QUARTERBACK COACHING POINTS

1. Ball security is always the first priority.
2. Always know the down and distance.
3. Always pitch heart to heart.
4. Never pitch in a mess or under stress.
5. Always expect to crash end and react to a feather.
6. Always step to the pitch man.

These are a couple of single options from the passing sets that will add a little spice to your offense. They are simple and easy to execute, but like any play, require practice time.

The shovel passes are especially good to use in long yardage situations when you have the lead and want a low-risk pass.