The option series developed at Wichita State University in 1978 was labeled the Trap Option by the staff at W.S.U. and was labeled the Freeze Option and the Midline Option among other things by high school and college coaches over the years. But, from the time as the Xs and Os were scribbled on the blackboard like a mathematical formula they comprised the 40-60 Series.

To the offensive staff the Xs and Os were simply referred to as 0-1 for the fullback plays and 8-9 for the option plays.

As the 40-60 Series developed through the spring of ’78 it became apparent the 40-60 Series acted as an equalizer for a team that needed every advantage it could muster to be competitive. At that time the new option concept provided the offense with advantages in several ways and today it still provides those advantages because the 40-60 Series:

1. Alters the reactions of the linebackers. The 40-60 Series 0-1 fullback landmark directly over the center and the tight mesh with the quarterback forces the inside linebackers to ‘freeze’ as they try to determine if the fullback or the quarterback had the ball – the ball is hidden. The linebackers’ reaction to the mesh provides the linemen with a half step head start to block the linebackers. That instant of deception was a significant advantage allowing the offense to seal the playside linebacker (the most critical block on an option play). In the spring our offense evolved from a dive oriented offense to an option offense. The half step advantage for the offensive linemen helped to seal the playside linebacker effectively allowing the quarterback to reach the option man consistently to get the ball pitched or to run to the option alley for good gains when the defense took away the pitch.

2. Forces the defensive tackles to close to the dive. The 40-60 Series 0-1 fullback landmark forces the defensive tackles to close one or two gaps, depending on their alignment, to tackle the fullback dive. The tackles can no longer search out the dive as they can against the inside veer and then help on the quarterback. The tackles closing to the dive is an offensive advantage.

3. Collapses the defensive front. The 40-60 Series 0-1 fullback landmark freezes the linebackers and forces the DTs to close to the dive in essence collapsing the defensive front rather than expanding it as happens with the veer and belly options. As the defense collapses additional running room is gained into the short side of the field to run the option. The extra two or three yards provides the quarterback and pitch back more space. The ability to execute the option into the short side of the field is an advantage.

4. Limits defensive pressure. The 40-60 Series, like other option offenses limits defensive pressure from a variety of linebacker fires, line stunts, and secondary blitzes. Defenses are reluctant to sacrifice the pursuit by firing linebackers, stunting linemen, or blitzing defensive backs, especially with the possibility on each play the football can be pitched with the back running to the outside third of the field with very few defenders in position to cut him off. Pressure is also limited because in man to man coverages there is no defender responsible for the quarterback. Reduced defensive pressure is an advantage by not being forced to spend an inordinate amount of practice time preparing for defensive pressures.

5. Limits overshifted secondary coverages. The 40-60 Series like other option offenses limits overshifted coverages to the wide side of the field. The overshifted coverages to the wide field places too much pressure on short field defenses. Defenses are forced to play balanced coverages because the offense can quickly outflank the defense away from the overshifted coverage. The 40-60 Series places even more pressure on the shortside defense because the defense has a tendency to collapse. The balanced coverages are an advantage because the offense can be executed to the wide or short side of the field equally as well.

6. Limits defensive preparation. The 40-60 Series creates an advantage because of its unique characteristics. The fullback’s 0-1 landmark, the quarterback-fullback mesh, the trap and base blocking schemes along with its complimentary runs and passes makes it extremely difficult for the opponent’s scout squad to duplicate the offense to give their defense a representative look in four practices at an offense they will probably see only once a year.

7. Allows an efficient use of personnel. The 40-60 Series personnel requirements are not as stringent as other offenses. The offensive linemen don’t necessarily have to be quality athletes with exceptional size to be effective blocking the angles of trap blocking.

When the blocking scheme calls for one on one, the offensive line can rely on the quick fullback dive to help make the block. The tight end isn’t required to be a power blocker. Basically, he blocks the secondary run support and catches seam passes. The tailback doesn’t have to possess a wide range of running skills or have the size and power of a traditional tailback to catch a pitch and run into the outside third of the field. The fullback doesn’t have to be a big player to be an excellent dive back. The quarterback is required to be an athlete, regardless of size, who possessed the speed and quickness to run for first downs when the defense forces him to keep the ball and has the ability to be a good medium range passer.

The 40-60 Series personnel requirements are an advantage because there are more offensive linemen, tight ends, backs, and quarterbacks who can fit into the 40-60 Series style offense than can fit into more conventional offenses.

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Coach Beckish is an expert on Option Football. The list of coaches that Larry his worked with reads like a “Who’s Who” among coaching legends. His coaching stints include stops in the ACC, SEC, and Big Ten.

Larry played for four years at Wichita State University (1960-1965), and was team captain in 1963. Upon graduating from Wichita State, Beckish began his coaching career at the University of Tampa where he coached both the offensive and defensive lines.