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AFM Magazine


Five Things That Can Stop Your Triple Option from Being Successful

by: Nathan M. Cochran
Asst. Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator, Blackburn College
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The Triple Option, when run correctly, can be a defensive coordinator’s worst nightmare. The Triple Option requires the defense to account for all the moving parts: the quarterback, the fullback, and the halfbacks. To account for each of these players every play can be a headache for any defense. However, like any other type of offense, the Triple Option can be its own worst enemy if not run correctly. In this article, I will address the five most common ‘offensive concerns’ in running the Triple Option.

I will start with a focus on the offensive line. My firm belief is the Triple Option goes where the offensive line takes it. There cannot be ANY penetration by the defense on a Triple Option play. The offensive line must block the front seven defenders if the Triple Option is to be successful. On a typical play, no one blocks the two defenders at the point of attack (See Diagram 1). Since these defenders are not blocked, the offense can’t afford to have any other defenders in the backfield. A defender in the backfield can cause damage to the quarterback and fullback hand-off (called the ‘mesh’). A problem with the mesh runs the risk of a fumble.

Diagram 1: Point of Attack

The second problem that can stop your Triple Option is an indecisive quarterback. The first decision the quarterback cannot be hesitant about is which player to read defensively after the ball is snapped. This will determine whether the dive is viable and whether to give or pull the ball from the fullback. Then if the quarterback is uncertain on whether to keep the ball or make the pitch to the halfback, there will be a greater opportunity for a fumbled football. In the Triple Option, the quarterback should read the first down-lineman in the B-Gap-Out. This man will be the defensive end in Diagram 2. The pitch read will be the next defender within five yards of the line-of-scrimmage (See Diagram 3). At Blackburn College we run a drill called ‘Ride-N-Decide’ which is the option version of ‘Pass Skelly’ or ‘7 on 7’ (See Diagram 4). Blackburn quarterbacks use a dive and pitch read so they will get used to seeing different looks. We practice this drill for 10-15 minutes every day allowing the offense about 30 repetitions. This drill is a major factor in our quarterback becoming more confident with his reads.

Diagram 2: B-Gap-Out

Diagram 3: Pitch Read

Diagram 4: Ride-N-Decide

Whether the quarterback is confident about his decision making or not, there still may be a poor mesh with the fullback. The improper mesh can be the result of the fullback getting off his ‘Dive Track,’ the quarterback not using the proper footwork, or something as basic as not enough practice reps between the fullback and the quarterback. Any of these problems can cause the football to end up on the ground. To fix the mesh scenario, the ‘Ride-N-Decide’ technique can be used to develop this situation as well. To ensure the fullback knows when the quarterback is leaving the ball in or is attempting to pull the football out of the mesh, the two must practice the technique often.

During the ‘Ride-N-Decide’ technique, the fullback works on staying in his dive track, or rather his assigned path toward the hole. By perfecting his route to the hole, the fullback helps to ensure a proper mesh with the QB.

The final two issues associated with the Triple Option are poor perimeter blocking and the offensive linemen not reaching the second level defenders. Defensive personnel have gotten faster in the past twenty years. Therefore, the way the Triple Option deals with that increase in speed is by making sure outside blockers control their men and ensuring the offensive line gets off the line of scrimmage and onto the linebackers (Diagram 1). At Blackburn, wide receivers spend more time working on blocking than they do catching the ball. It is unacceptable for our quarterback to make a great read on the Triple Option, pitch the ball to the halfback, and have the halfback be tackled for a loss by a defender who should have been blocked by one of our wide receivers. Likewise, it is just as unacceptable for the quarterback or halfback to be run down by an inside linebacker who was allowed to reach his target because an offensive lineman could not make his block. In every drill that we work on with our offensive linemen we focus on them working though the block, then, getting upfield and blocking linebackers to safeties.

The Triple Option is the ‘Bread-N-Butter’ play in Blackburn College’s Spread Option offense. But, the Triple Option requires a substantial commitment of drilling and practice. A team cannot work on the Triple Option once or twice a week and expect it to be successful. However, those coaches who have chosen to use the Triple Option and have committed to practicing daily the five things that can stop a Triple Option from becoming successful often have great success.





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