Air Option??

Off the veer and midline there are three plays that I have seen:

1. a slotback/tight end pop (some call it dump) after faking the dive off the midline/veer

2. a slant to the #1 receiver after faking the dive off the midline/veer

3. a backside post or deep slant to the backside receiver after faking the dive off the midline/veer

We run all three.

I hope this started the conversation, John.

Coach Campbell,

Can you elaborate more on your 3 step and play action as far as routes, reads, etc?

Tks/Happy Holidays

Beetle,
The school I am at we usually run more quick outs than stops but I see nothing wrong with either. I guess the stop could be a little more easy for a good DB to jump and pick.

Lou,
Do you have your QB progression read for example from left to right? In our system if we call say an 80 All Streak our QB starts his read from left to right...if the play call is 81 all streak he would read the opposite.

One of my most successful play action passes has always been what we simply call: TRIPLE OPTION PASS

My opinion, if you are a true option team ALL YOUR PASSES SHOULD BE OFF OF THE OPTION ACTION.

TRIPLE OPTION PASS goes down like this: Out of the pro with "I" backs, the QB attacks down hill as always at his read just as in any inside VEER, AFTER FAKING THE DIVE TO THE FB. When he reaches the spot directly behind his tackle, he takes 3 QUICK DROP STEPS AND READS THE PATTERN WIHCH CONSISTS OF TWO DEEP GO ROUTES BY THE WIDE OUTS, A DRAG BY THE TE TO A DEPTH OF 10 YDS, A SWING BY THE RB PLAYSIDE AND A 7-9 yd. STOP ROUTE BY THE FB WHO PULLS UP IN FRONT OF THE FS AND SQUATS AFTER CARRYING OUT HIS DIVE FAKE. The QB staying with good reading mechanics will read from top to bottom ( up top first for the go routes, the drag second, and the checkdown is to the FB squatting at 7-9 yds. in the MOF.) Here is what generally happens: When the FS determines that the FB did not get the ball on the dive, he will more times than not, just disregard him. I coach the FB to just squat as unobtruseively as possible, keeping a low profile to the ground. I FIND THAT 90% OF THE TIME, AND THAT IS NOT JUST AN ARBITRARY FIGURE, THE FB WILL BE WIDE OPEN AND THE QB SHOULD GET HIM THE BALL AS HE IS THE LAST READ IN THE PROGRESSION. It is a great play and has really been very productive for me over the years. Coaching point: Coach your FB to read the FS all the way and if he bites on the dive fake and keeps coming, just don't bother to pull up but rather run right by him and he will be open for a home run toss on lots of occasions.

Coach Easton

Coach John,

Give it a try! It is a play that I had a lot of success with on the HS level, as well as, the professional minor league level!

Coach Easton

Thanks for the play Jerry. I really like that one.

Anybody interested in trading some game film cut-ups?If so contact me at lotiefs@bellsouth.net.I have some good routes that we use out of the flexbone or wing/slot set.We are about 98% play action passing;70%off of veer action.We threw more TD's this past year than ever before.We only threw the ball about 8-10 times a game,but it was for big yards.Good luck to all!!!!!!!

Coach Chad,

Sorry, I just now saw your question directed to me:

The FB runs the same path as on the ISV, (aiming point brown spot of the guard) but as crosses the LOS he bends it back slightly to the Middle of the defensive formation. We run it to the TE side until we feel they are ripe for the taking to the open side.

Coach Easton

Coaches,

All answers have been good! Still maintain, it is IMPOSSIBLE to name a favorite route if you don't designate a particular defense. I know most HS defenses stay pretty much with their base as much as is possible for them to do so, but on our level in any typical 9-10 play drive, we will see 5-6 different fronts all complimented by different coverages. It is up to our QB (we run a check with me) to decide which of the 2 choice pass package given him on every play, or checkout entirely of the passing game and call a running play of his choice, based on what he is seeing at the LOS. Just my opinion as always.

Coach Easton

Yesterday I was watching some old Alabama wishbone cut-ups from the Bear Bryant days. On most of the option passes I watched their QB would run toward the LOS to bait the defenders up and then throw over their head. It seems like most coachces I talk to about Option passes are big on the QB executing the proper techniques with their footwork and such. While I do realize this is very important it really looked like Bryant's QB was way more focused on fooling the defense by attacking the LOS than he was with his footwork.

Again it seems as if Everyone wants to have their QB fake the dive, take 3 steps, make the read and make the throw. Do ppl just not teach option passes the way Bryant did or what?? It would be the same exact thing as having your QB throw on the run on a straight sprint out pass....but I have watched option teams a lot the past few yrs such as Navy and I cant remember them having their QB attack the LOS before passing...?

Ok just watched some more of those cut-ups and it was a balanced mix of both "fake, drop and throw" and fake, attack LOS and throw. But all the same I just dont see teams doing the latter these days.

coachLO,
I like your thinking there. After watching those cuts and thinking about this I believe I am going to look further into doing even more to sell the run on option passes. Sure, if your QB gets the read he wants to see right away, then by all means uncork it! But, if the QB is forced to go thru a progression then why not continue to sell the run? This would surely put the defense in one heck of a bind.

For example on ISV Pass. Instead of having your QB fake the dive then take his 3 step drop and throw, why not have your QB continue down the LOS like he normally would on ISV...attack the LOS and if the defense doesnt come up to play the run then take off with it...if they do come up to play run the lob it over their heads into your WR's hands. Seems like a NO win situation for the defense.