Option Runningbacks

I'm from a veer line of thought. In my opinion, I look for backs that are explosive and are able to run low. They need to be able to hit thier launch point at 100%, keep their eyes forward, and know when and where to make their cuts. When it's all said and done, I look for determined, tough minded kids who can hit the hole at full speed--whether it's there or not. I'm not interested as much in a kid that can make his own hole--that is what my linemens' jobs are. If they are doin thier job, our veer back (even if he doesn't look like a battering ram) should get at least 3.5 y...you can do the math from there. Confidence and toughness outweigh physical stats, in my opinion. Our best veer back in recent years was only 170-175 lbs (if that). But he shot out of his stance like someone inserted a rocket in his backside, stayed low, and drove his legs. He wouldn't outlift anyone or make your jaw drop when he passed you in the hallway, but when he put his helmet on, he was fearless, relentless, and had good vision once he popped through the hole.

Coach Easton-

More to the Runningbacks, but dive backs interest me as well. We have a designated fullback and two halfbacks. Our halfbacks are more like flexbone wing or slotbacks. The deuce option teams kind of amaze me because there backs have to be fast enough to be in position for the pitch but big enough to be a dive back.

Kelly- when you talk about your veer back would that be your dive back or pitch, or both depending on direction? We run what we call an inverted bone. I guess Nebraska used to run the formation back in the 60's.

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Coach Easton-
That is awesome, that is our base formation and there are some games that we never get out of it. We have quite a few play actions out of it, and we throw a 5 yard pop pass to the tight ends if teams are blitzing there backers alot. Do you have any favorite short yardage passing plays out of it. My favorite play action pass looks like we are running triple but the tightend is going to run a corner and the playside halfback will slip into the flats. The other is in experimental phase. I'll email it to you.

Thanks, when the tightends run the crossers what kind of action do you do in the backfield?