Offense · Option Football
Option Football
Sometimes the offense doesn't block a defender on purpose. Instead, the quarterback reads that defender and chooses the option that makes his decision wrong.
Start Here
What Is It?
Most offensive plays tell everyone exactly what their job is before the ball is snapped. On an option play, at least part of the decision is made after the snap.
The offense identifies a defender — often an edge defender — and intentionally leaves him unblocked.
That sounds like a mistake. It isn't.
Instead of assigning an offensive player to block that defender, the offense makes the quarterback responsible for him.
The Basic Idea
Don't block the defender.
Read him.
If the defender commits to one option, the quarterback chooses the other.
Football Watching 101
How It Works
The simplest example is the read option.
The quarterback and running back meet at the handoff point while the quarterback watches a specific defender.
Defender crashes toward the RB
QB KEEP
If the read defender attacks the running back, the quarterback can pull the ball and run into the space the defender just abandoned.
Defender stays with the QB
GIVE
If the defender stays outside to protect against the quarterback run, the quarterback gives the ball to the running back.
The offense is essentially telling the defender: you choose who gets the football.
But whichever choice you make, the offense intends to send the ball somewhere else.
Read Option
Read Me
Give
Keep
QB Reads Defender
The read defender is intentionally left unblocked. His reaction helps determine whether the quarterback gives the ball or keeps it.
Simplified read-option example — the exact read and blocking scheme can vary by play
The Reason
Why Teams Use It
Option football creates a numbers problem for the defense.
Normally, an offensive player may have to block the edge defender. On a read option, the offense can leave that defender unblocked and use the quarterback's decision to account for him instead.
That can effectively free another offensive player to block somewhere else.
Option football also forces defenders to play with discipline. An aggressive defender who immediately attacks the running back can open the door for the quarterback.
A defender who waits outside for the quarterback may make the running lane easier for the back.
The offense is trying to put one defender in conflict: whatever he chooses, there is an answer.
Remember These
Option Concepts You'll Hear About
The Read Defender
The defender the quarterback watches after the snap. On many read-option plays this is an edge defender, but the exact read can change depending on the concept.
Give
The quarterback completes the handoff and gives the football to the running back.
Keep
The quarterback pulls the football away from the running back and keeps it himself.
Read Option
The quarterback reads a defender and typically decides between handing the ball to the running back or keeping it.
Speed Option
The quarterback attacks toward the perimeter with a teammate available as a pitch option. The reaction of a defender helps determine whether the quarterback keeps or pitches.
Pitch
Instead of handing the football off, the quarterback can pitch it to another runner attacking the outside.
Triple Option
An option concept with three possible ways to advance the football, traditionally involving an inside run, quarterback keep and pitch. Different offenses can structure the three options differently.
QB Run Threat
A mobile quarterback changes the math for the defense because the quarterback is no longer just the player handing off. He can become an additional running threat.
Watch The Game Differently
What Should I Watch For On Saturday?
When you suspect an option play, resist the urge to follow the football immediately.
Look at the edge of the offensive line and find the defender who appears to be completely unblocked.
That may be the read defender.
Now watch what he does.
He crashes inside
Watch for the quarterback to pull the ball and attack the space outside.
He stays outside
Watch for the quarterback to hand the ball to the running back.
Then watch the replay. Broadcast replays often make option football much easier to recognize because you can focus entirely on the defender instead of the ball.
Your sequence is: Find the unblocked defender → Watch his decision → Watch the QB's decision → See where the ball goes.
Once you start seeing that relationship, read option stops looking like a mysterious handoff and starts looking like a simple two-player decision.
Keep Learning
Related Concepts
Lesson 06
RPO
You've learned the give-or-keep decision. Now add a passing option and see how a Run-Pass Option puts another defender in conflict.