COMMITMENT

When you want the option to be a part of the offensive and don’t know how to add the option, consider one of two approaches:

1. Be an option team
2. Be a team which runs an option.

An option team makes a commitment to win with a variety of option. Basically, coaches decide to become an option team because the personnel is available to run the option, especially a quarterback, and knowing the problems the option will create for the defenses.

Example – Georgia Tech.

To be successful option team the offensive staff must have the willingness to adhere to fundamental option concepts to develop a sound offense.

A team committed to winning with the option should have 75% of the offense founded on option runs and passes. This option team has hard dives, still one of the best running plays in football, double or triple options, and a variety of option passes producing havoc for defenses that spends most of its time preparing for spread offenses. The 25% of the offense can be comprised with a sweep, an off-tackle run, an isolation play, and play action passes from those plays.

The important aspect of 75%-25% offense is that both phases are practiced proportionally. A team which runs an option is a team which makes a commitment to utilize the option to complement the other phases of the offense. The principle thought behind this decision is that the option provides a sufficient departure from the primary offensive philosophy to create problems for the defense in preparing for the offense.

However, if the option is going to be a productive part of the offense the coaches must have the willingness and knowledge to coach the plays, and not just draw them up on the blackboard. The option portion of this offense should be made up of 25%, or less of option runs and passes. Two option runs, a hard dive, pitch, and an option pass would be effective for specific situations, such as on the goal line, short yardage, or as ‘mixer’ plays. No triple option! Too much practice time!

The important aspect of the 25%-75% ratio is that the offense is focused on the base plays, but both phases should be practiced proportionally and employed to effectively complement each phase.

Coaches who would like 50% of the offense to be comprised of option runs and passes and 50% to be base runs and passes can have a problem. One of the problems with the 50%-50% ratio is that coaching and practice times are spread thin over the two offensive concepts.

Compromising is one of the subtle dangers when putting together an offense or defense. Coaches often compromise sound and proven concepts in order to make an offense or a play fit with the Xs and Os they understand and are comfortable with. But, with the option there are fundamental principles which must be adhered to in order to minimize the risks of executing option plays. When basic option principles are compromised an option offense is like an eight cylinder motor running on two cylinders.

To fully understand the concepts of the Trap Option (a.k.a. the Midline and Freeze)along with run and pass blocking schemes and blocking rules, fundamentals for QBs, FBs and TBs, plus quarterback drills, thoughts to help QB’s make option decisions, drills for TE and WR blocking run support, how to handle blitzes, and how to develop an option game plan, you can order a copy of Coach Beckish’s (the Ol’ Option Dinosaur’s) book, ‘The Trap Option, 40 Plus 60 Equals Option.

Click here to Listen to Coach Beckish talk Option Football on the Coach’s Corner Radio Show

Looking for the Web’s #1 Site for Option Football? CLICK HERE to Visit www.optioncentral.net.