option responsibilities

Coach a couple of variations on this, particularly if you feel you are getting just a token fake and the QB/Pitch threat is the one you fear most...

Don't waster your DE on a dive unless it is an outside veer run directly at him with a Down block from a TE. Have your DT and ILB play dive. Have your DE play the QB and LB scrape to pitch or do a "switch" where DE goes to pitch and LB plays QB

For your DE's, you can play both a "hard" technique where you attack the QB and a "soft" or sometimes call feather or slow play technique.

The slow play technique, if executed well, causes problems for the QB. When starting out, just teach your DE to wait for the QB and not to attack him. As the QB approaches, let the QB commit upfield before DE tackles him. If QB doesnt commit, he will either pitch or run into DE.

The next progression is to have the DE play "cat and mouse" the QB. After the QB closes within 1 yard, DE "slides" with QB laterally, inviting him to cut upfield. If he cuts upfield, DE wraps him up, if he pitches, DE takes flat or ideally a >90 degree angle step with outside foot and plays the pitch cutback.

Final progression is for DE to "sink" back to original position and then slide with QB until QB either keeps or pitches, then plays as above.

This must be practiced and your DE must not react to a QB pitch fake or head fake. But if you can execute, you will do a number of good things:

1) Disrupt the timing of the option and decision making of the QB
2) Buy time for your pitch support and pursuit
3) Get your DE in on pitch cutbacks

The key is to mix it up against the QB. He must be uncertain both who will play him and how it will be played. After a few "soft" techniques, mix in a "smash" and ring his bell with your DE. Then mix in a switch where your DE goes to pitch and he thinks he has the keep only to get his bell run by the backer.

Practice it, mix it up, and make the QB pay!