option help

If this is the same question you were just asking me, this is the best way to go. The "I" holds a lot more potential as you progress in your option schemes.

Coach Easton

We have been a multiple formation double slot option team for a number of years (off and on - we have also run the splitback veer). Our base plays are: Inside Veer, Midline, Counter Option, and Speed Option.

We settled on the double slot option because:
A) It forces the defense to balance up (gave me fits when I was def. Coord.)
B) True TE are hard to find - If we find a player who is big, strong, physical, and athletic = he should be on defense (which "wins championships" anyway . . . . right!). To us "A Tight End is a condition, not a position!" Likewise Slots are easy to find . . . . they can be anybody (5'7" 160 or 6'2" 200), just be athletic.
C) Lastly, it allows us to get into some spread passing concepts without compromising our base offense or personnel. (Double wide, Trips, empty - bubble screen, 3 step game, screens, etc)

So . . . . . if you want to run the double slot, run it, and run it well. The I is a whole different deal to us - but effective just the same.

We flew the offensive staff from Delta St., Miss. (2000 Div.II National champs) up to clinic approx. 15 high school staffs in the spring of 2001 and got some valuable information from them in terms of Flex-bone or "Triple Shoot" (as they called it) techniques and coaching points. We liked them because they were a little more ecclectic offensive vs. Ga. Southern or the Academies.

To answer your questions:

Where to align slots: Our slots align 2 yds. outside the OT and 1 yd. deep (times up pitch phase better for us)

Stance of Slots: 2 point, balanced (allows us to arc, load, down, get into pitch phase, and route release. When we widen our slots to a twins alignment they get into a WR stance.

Our cadence: "Down, color-number, color-number, set, hut-hut-hut."

When motion slot leaves: Our slots leave 1 count before the ball is snapped. ex.- if the play is on 1, he leaves on set. If the play is on 2, the slot leaves on 1.

Speed when he leaves: Our slots open and go full speed

Their aiming point: Our FB aligns with his hand 2 1/2 yds. from the heels of the QB. Our Slots pitch phase aiming point is 1 yd. behind the initial alignment of the FB. Then he flattens out until he reaches the "pitch point" (directly across from the initial alignment of the pitch key). Lastly, they aim for where the sideline and the L.O.S. intersect. This keeps them wide allowing us to stretch the field and put pressure on the defense.

This is what we've evolved to and how we do it. It's worked extremely well for us

Coach E

GCTIGERS57,

Our 2 x 1 base alignment is our starting point. We adjust it as needed. Also, remember, with the Midline, the Slot who leads inside the OT is blocking for the QB - not the FB = he doesn't need to get there immediately. In some situations we have him pause for a "hiccup", then attack downhill through the B gap = times things up better and he doesn't get in the FB's way.

Coach E

Hey Coach E,

It looks like we are both going down the same river. E-mail me if at aberlin@gpsk12.net if you want to talk.

Thanks,
Coach B