option Formation

Just run your option out of double slot and motion at the last possible second. That's what Navy does. Their snap count is Ready, Set, Go. The slotback motions after he hears the "Y" in ready. A defense cannot adjust to the motion because of how late it occurs. I coached against Navy Prep and Bucknell this past season (whose offensive coordinator coached under Tim Stowers who taught the triple to Navy Coach Paul Johnson) and I know from defending it, that you cannot adjust to the motion. We shut out Bucknell and allowed one touchdown to Navy Prep, but believe me, the double slot, triple option is very, very difficult to defend. Take this under serious advisement.

If I can be of further assistance, please let me know. The triple option is the toughest play to defend in football--bar none!

Jerry, I was the linebacker coach against Navy Prep and Bucknell this year. We stopped the triple option by using two different ways to defend the triple. The reason why we did this is so neither team could load us or outformation us. Other than giving up a long pass the first series of the Navy Prep game (blown assignment by out strong safety), we shut Navy Prep and Bucknell out completely.

Paul Johnson runs the triple the way he does for a reason. He is the best triple option coach on the planet. His record reflects that. What he does with zero scholarship players competing every week versus teams with 85 scholarship players is remarkable. Beano Cook has said on record that Paul Johnson and Fisher DeBerry are the two best coaches in college football. With Coach DeBerry's retirement that leaves Coach Johnson as #1.

Jerry, recruiting is going extremely well. We just had our open house on Saturday and have gotten several commitments already. It appears that we will have a better team than last year. Also, it is a lot easier recruiting when your team goes 10-0 the previous year. We are getting athletes from Florida to New England.

I will drop you an Email shortly, Jerry.

tdog,

I have to agree with Coach Cella on his point about motioning at the last second. We run a flexbone very similar to Navy (except we run OSV instead of Rocket Toss) and we have been very fortunate to have had a lot of success with it.

It is somewhat difficult for defenses to mirror that movement when it happens so close to the snap of the ball and when the threat of counters and P/A passes are ever-present. It also puts the offense at a tremendous advantage to get the pitchback at full speed and well in front of the QB on option plays. When timed up and read correctly, a pitch on an option play should be an automatic big play (12+ yards). We also believe very strongly in EXECUTION. We believe that a defense that is learning to stop the flexbone and its multiple options in 1 week is at a severe disadvantage in terms of preparation. One opposing coach told us that they sent out an assistant coach in the off-season to learn the option, then they coached the scout team offense for TWO WEEKS before they played us. Believe me, it had nothing to do with how good we were and nothing to do with our coaches. It was the scheme that made them panic and prepare so thoroughly.

So, run the flexbone options with motion (like Coach Cella suggested), work on the execution (per Coach Easton), have plays away from the motion (Karjaw) and make the defense change what they do to stop you. Sounds like a recipe for success.

kc

Yes. However, make sure you simplify things and give it to them is stages. 14 yo kids can't run Navy's offense, but the basic premise behind their offense can be handled. I would probably run things as double option at that age (only one read)--either it is a give or keep on the mesh, or the mesh is just a smoke screen and your real option is keep or pitch on the edge. Take note what was said above though, make sure you can counter away from the motion, or teams will key motion and you will get nowhere fast.

Not to be rude but if you run the true option don't be afraid to predetermine your dive or option. A good friend of mine Bill Silva is one of the best veer minds in the country and he did this with great success. It just adds another element to your offense when you need it.