Post by Coach Campbell on Oct 15, 2013 12:43:23 GMT
The zone-read, gun triple-option . . . and the quadruple-option?
Monday, 17 August 2009 , by : Chris
It wasn't long after the zone-read was invented that coaches began dabbling in ways to turn the play into a "triple option" — i.e. with a third possible ballcarrier based on a second quarterback read. Both Rich Rodriguez and Randy Walker started doing it early on, and by the time Urban Meyer was running his spread at Utah, the idea of having a "pitch back" or "pitch phase" for the quarterback if he pulled the ball after reading the defensive end was here to stay. Now, this enhanced spread run game should not be confused with the true triple-option stuff, as veer offenses, like Paul Johnson's flexbone, have certain blocking scheme advantages in that the guys being "optioned" are specifically avoided so as to enable double-team blocks on other defenders — an advantage not present with the zone-read. (This is one reason why many spread teams, including Urban Meyers's and Rich Rodriguez's, run the veer nowadays.) But there is no question that, as the spread has gotten older and more entrenched, the cat-and-mouse game between offense and defense has also evolved. The current evolution has us with the zone-read-triple with a pitch back, and its more nascent cousin, the zone-read triple with a bubble screen. But some coaches are working on even more exotic spread permutations, including what can only be described as the "quadruple option." Reading to daylight. Adding a pitch or third-option to the zone read was natural, and served two good functions: it drew attention away from the frontside zone run, the primary focus of the play, and it seriously amped up the big-play capability when the quarterback did pull the ball. The first read of a "zone-read," it will be recalled is by the quarterback: he reads the backside defensive end, who typically goes unblocked in a zone-rushing scheme to free up blockers for double-teams on the frontside. If the defensive end sits where he is or rushes upfield, the quarterback simple hands the ball off to the runner. But if he chases the runningback, the quarterback pulls the ball. On the base zone-read, the quarterback just looks for any crease to the backside. But if we add a second read to the play, he know seeks out the outside linebacker or backside support player. He will run right at that player's outside shoulder. If the defender stays outside or refuses to commit, the quarterback will cut it up inside. Depending on how athletic the QB is — think Pat White or Vince Young — this can be a big gainer. If the linebacker attacks the quarterback though, he pitches it to the runningback or receiver swinging around. This player has to get into a "pitch relationship" with the quarterback, usually something like five to seven yards away and one to two yards behind the quarterback. It is his job to maintain this relationship. The quarterback really only wants to pitch it if the defender flatly attacks him; the worst thing is for a defender to be able to bat down the pitch and recover the ball as a fumble. All this, outlined clearly below in a diagram from Urban Meyer's Utah playbook (courtesy of Trojan Football Analysis), was very nearly self-evident once the zone-read appeared, since many coaches (Meyer and Randy Walker included) had experience with the triple-option, pitch backs and pitch phases, secondary reads, and the like. Moreover, it also became necessary as teams began to react to the zone-read with more games. For example, often defenses use a "scrape" tactic where the defensive end crashes for the runner while the linebacker "scrapes" to the quarterback. A quarterback who reads the end will find himself face-to-face with a linebacker. The triple aspect to the play doesn't remedy all of this, but it limits it, and is another stage in the ongoing evolution of the spread and defensive answers to it. - See more at: smartfootball.com/run-g...n#sthash.mcVKMsBW.dpuf
Monday, 17 August 2009 , by : Chris
It wasn't long after the zone-read was invented that coaches began dabbling in ways to turn the play into a "triple option" — i.e. with a third possible ballcarrier based on a second quarterback read. Both Rich Rodriguez and Randy Walker started doing it early on, and by the time Urban Meyer was running his spread at Utah, the idea of having a "pitch back" or "pitch phase" for the quarterback if he pulled the ball after reading the defensive end was here to stay. Now, this enhanced spread run game should not be confused with the true triple-option stuff, as veer offenses, like Paul Johnson's flexbone, have certain blocking scheme advantages in that the guys being "optioned" are specifically avoided so as to enable double-team blocks on other defenders — an advantage not present with the zone-read. (This is one reason why many spread teams, including Urban Meyers's and Rich Rodriguez's, run the veer nowadays.) But there is no question that, as the spread has gotten older and more entrenched, the cat-and-mouse game between offense and defense has also evolved. The current evolution has us with the zone-read-triple with a pitch back, and its more nascent cousin, the zone-read triple with a bubble screen. But some coaches are working on even more exotic spread permutations, including what can only be described as the "quadruple option." Reading to daylight. Adding a pitch or third-option to the zone read was natural, and served two good functions: it drew attention away from the frontside zone run, the primary focus of the play, and it seriously amped up the big-play capability when the quarterback did pull the ball. The first read of a "zone-read," it will be recalled is by the quarterback: he reads the backside defensive end, who typically goes unblocked in a zone-rushing scheme to free up blockers for double-teams on the frontside. If the defensive end sits where he is or rushes upfield, the quarterback simple hands the ball off to the runner. But if he chases the runningback, the quarterback pulls the ball. On the base zone-read, the quarterback just looks for any crease to the backside. But if we add a second read to the play, he know seeks out the outside linebacker or backside support player. He will run right at that player's outside shoulder. If the defender stays outside or refuses to commit, the quarterback will cut it up inside. Depending on how athletic the QB is — think Pat White or Vince Young — this can be a big gainer. If the linebacker attacks the quarterback though, he pitches it to the runningback or receiver swinging around. This player has to get into a "pitch relationship" with the quarterback, usually something like five to seven yards away and one to two yards behind the quarterback. It is his job to maintain this relationship. The quarterback really only wants to pitch it if the defender flatly attacks him; the worst thing is for a defender to be able to bat down the pitch and recover the ball as a fumble. All this, outlined clearly below in a diagram from Urban Meyer's Utah playbook (courtesy of Trojan Football Analysis), was very nearly self-evident once the zone-read appeared, since many coaches (Meyer and Randy Walker included) had experience with the triple-option, pitch backs and pitch phases, secondary reads, and the like. Moreover, it also became necessary as teams began to react to the zone-read with more games. For example, often defenses use a "scrape" tactic where the defensive end crashes for the runner while the linebacker "scrapes" to the quarterback. A quarterback who reads the end will find himself face-to-face with a linebacker. The triple aspect to the play doesn't remedy all of this, but it limits it, and is another stage in the ongoing evolution of the spread and defensive answers to it. - See more at: smartfootball.com/run-g...n#sthash.mcVKMsBW.dpuf