He did tweet a link to this specifically for people who enjoy his work and while I do check out other SB Nation stuff from time to time I probably would've missed this one. That would've been a mistake.
What you call a quadruple option is called an RPO (run pass option) , where a secondary player or a linebacker is read by the qb , in a play involving a running play and a passing concept. It is very popular in today’s college/nfl football world !
Army is the best at running the triple option currently, tech hasn't run it right for a while now. It's like Johnson didn't trust his quarterbacks to read it all the time
Should be noted that in your "quadruple option" example you should a clip of a CFL game. Canadian football is 12-players-a-side rather than 11 in American football. You're more likely to see that "quadruple" there rather than in the US because you've got one more guy at your disposal.
Terram Lucida Tela Concilium exactly, that “4th” option is really a passing read. If this was the case a quarterback in a 5 wide set is running a sextuplet option play.
To me, the interesting follow up to this vid would we "times the defender forces the more difficult play, which failed". On occasions when I've played defense (be it soccer or field hockey), some of my best plays are when I've forced a tricky play that didn't come off.
The best way to stop the other team to run the option is to hit the Qb no matter what. It's trickery so you can just play it as being fooled and hes a runner for the most part so hitting him is fine. Most teams will stop running it to protect their Qb from taking so many hits that he doesnt even have the ball for. Trust your teammates that they'll stop the RB. One thing my coahces would tell us is stay square if your the end or OLB once you tunr your shoulders its over. And OLB's and DE's have the outside threat the ILB's and DT's have the inside threat, once you look at it that way it takes away the process of figuring out who has the ball
Just now seeing this vid and this reply. Georgia Southern runs the triple option out of shotgun and their past qb's have been smart enough to slide in the open field (if surrounded by defenders) or dive towards the ground (if they see someone in front of them they cant juke) in order to not take unneccasary hits. It's one of the reasons why that offense works so well. No team is going to hit the QB multiple times no matter what if he's shown the inclination to slide. No one wants to lose thier best defensive players due to targeting or a helmet to helmet collision.
Thanks. This was a very informative video, not just on the option, but even showing just the different formations, that may be something basic but I'm european, I've never played american football, and now i'm starting to watch CFB/NFL (mostly CFB) and I need to learn all of the basic things.
I really love this style of video, I hope you all do more of these. Some constructive criticism from a big fan who really wants yall to succeed: As someone who is a casual football fan at best, I found this video moved a little too quickly for me. I really wanted to understand each of the points he was making and see the defender's mistake in each of the clips but the editing was too fast for me to keep up. I think if you had allowed an extra mintues worth of time on the video for the same amount of content I would have been able to follow a lot better.
what i love about the option is the fact that the T can block in the second level, be it a LB or DB. i think that's more important than the isolation of the DE
I actually love the option offense because it’s all about reading one or several players at one time. Just the read option is my favorite out of all the other options because it’s mostly a basic play when you first look at it but it has several options on it and you can throw out of it if you sense that the defense is creeping up on you in the running game.
One part you left out about the wishbone is that it had the fourth option of the flipping the ball to the end as a reverse. So, it is more truly a quadruple option than the RPO with high-low read that you show as a quadruple option. If you're going to call that a quadruple option you can call a RPO with three routes a quintuple option.
Your example of a quadruple option was just a triple option with a WR screen instead of a slotback pitch. To have an option you need to "read" a defender. In a triple option, you read two defenders.
Jason Garrett needs to utilize this with Dak and Zeke. Cowboys will be unstoppable with this. What he lacks in arm strength and accuracy, he can make up with his IQ and use his legs. You've heard it from almost every opponent they play. "As long as we stop the run, stack the box and make Dak throw, we've got a good chance of beating the Cowboys." These plays will make up for his mistakes as he continue to mature as a football player. He's really big QB and we still get the ball to our main skill position player, Zeke. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's thought more about this. Surely, the offensive coordinator has a good reason as to why we don't do this more often.
If you ever watch Rugby or Rugby League, basically ever offensive play is based on essentially this concept. They just do it faster, with more players and anywhere on the field. It’s usually referred to as the “Draw and Pass” because all that’s happening is that you’re running a player at a defender or even two defenders and then trying to draw one or both and then passing to a teammate to run through the gap those now out of position players have left. Nice to see it explained in a different sport though.
I find that an offense is deadliest when the players can execute two schemes under one unified playbook. Take the Seahawks 2018 offense; it is basically a version of Air Coryell, but if you analyze the plays more closely, you realize that the team uses a mix of QB option & play action, and the 'Hawks have been great at executing this type of offense. It utilizes the throwing strength, and deep ball accuracy, of Wilson, and because they have a great running attack/offensive line they can go into the Play Action whenever they want.
There's a reason that the option is a staple of college offenses, and is utilized as much in the same way at the professional level. It's because the one component needed more than any other to make the option work is speed. The NFL has speed at every position, so it is far more difficult to get around a guy, even if they are out of position. Where an option might consistently pick up 5 or more ypc, that number is likely less than 3 ypc in the pros. That would turn into a lot of 3 and outs, which is why you see more pass option plays in the NFL. Bigger chunks of yards are needed than a typical option can provide when the QB/RB combo isn't guaranteed to be the two most athletic guys on the field.
The Army/Navy/Georgia Tech option really isn't a triple option, since there isn't anything to read on the dive option, the real triple option is the shovel pass and/or run pass option
Why can’t we have the quintuple option now? We sort of already have the triple and quadruple option in rpos. Why not have a triple option run with 2 receivers running various routes ?
Interesting. I always pictured this as the ideal offense for a team with no big obvious strength or which excelled at improvising. Never knew the point was essentially "hit it where they ain't". There's no question that, with the right personnel, this offense can work wonders. From what I can see, the main limitations are that 1. all the ball handlers have to be smart, quick-thinking, and in sync, and 2. it needs a quarterback who can either avoid big hits or isn't afraid to take them. If a quarterback has fast feet but a less than impressive arm, like Tim Tebow, the option could be a viable alternative to a more conventional passing attack. The bottom line is that college teams will do whatever it takes to win; making the opposition look like utter fools is just a nice little bonus.
NFL teams typically don’t do this, because your QB takes a lot of hits. With the pros that guy is an investment. You’re paying him to throw, not pick up six yards and get hit by a safety. Typically, defensive ends are taught to close down (shuffle parallel to the line of scrimmage) to force the QB to give the ball. Undisciplined DEs will run upfield and create a huge cutback lane for the RB after the QB gives it to him.
I see NFL Defenders Bluff like they are going at the RB then at the last moment change direction and head for the QB. Or vic versa. One NFL recent defender had his head looking at the RB while his body was running toward the QB!
He just retired: Bill Snyder ran the option to perfection on his great squads. He also stopped running it almost entirely his last two seasons. Does anyone know why? Also: Anyone have an opinion about running the option to the short side of the field? Worthless? Trickery?
Not sure if this is ethical, but if the defense hit the quarterback every time they ran an option they would stop running it. I'm sure they'd get flagged a lot for it, but it would be legitimate to say you didn't realize the quarterback didn't have the ball
You need to make a video about why this DOESNT work in the NFL. If it works so well to deceive defenders, why does no NFL defense have it as a staple of their offense? Kaep and the 49ers and Cam Newton and the Panthers used it heavily for a little bit but then it got snuffed out and is basically dead in the NFL. You still see it every now and then but wayyyyyy less than you do in college.
Teams use the option all the time in the NFL. Maybe there aren’t exactly option offenses based entirely around it but the Chiefs, Ravens, Titans, Panthers, Bears, Cowboys, Seahawks, Texans and Bills use it with some frequency. Many of these teams use it multiple times a game Only reason it isn’t as viable in the NFL is it’s rare to have an option QB athletic enough to consistently be a running threat who’s also a good enough pure passer to be a starting NFL QB. But for those who are it’s almost always in the playbook
Two main reasons: 1. Pro defenses are bigger, faster, stronger and better coached than college defenses. NFL defensive players, if left unblocked, will be in the backfield well before the QB can make up his mind. 2. The QB takes too much physical punishment. They can handle that for 4 years against college-level defenses. But in the NFL, where the defenses are much bigger and hit so much harder, QBs can't hold up to those beatings over 10-15 years.
Outside the CFL example, there aren't really any professional teams you mentionef that use the option as their primary offensive attack. Is the NFL so much faster that options don't work outside of potential trick plays, i.e. Wildcat.
The option isn't that hard to stop as long as you have disciplined defenders. D End takes QB, D Tackles & LBs play the running back, and depending on what formation, a nickel, dime, strongside backer or even safety over the top has pitch. As long as everyone plays their role, the option can be stopped.
Okay, but how come everyone was saying the Read Option was going to change Football just a couple years ago, but now hardly anybody runs it like they used to? The Redskins, 49ers, and Seahawks all toned it down. Why? Did defenses find a way to stop it?
Wish bone, the flex, I formation, single wing, the T, splitback. .... basically every formation from the past to present, there is nothing new under the sun
The video makes it sound like defenders don't know what to do. Every edge defender at the college level knows whether he should crash or stay should he be unblocked. They look silly when they try to play both.
It took 2 and a half minutes to show Air Force running the option? And almost as long to show Navy? c'mon! They're probably the best teams to begin with.
The NFL doesn't run the option very much because they don't want their QB to get injured and doing it from wildcat is too predictable. College teams don't run the option as much as they used to because they are more serious about recruiting the best players and the best offensive players don't want to go to an option school where their NFL dreams will be destroyed. It's not because the option is ineffective.
He did tweet a link to this specifically for people who enjoy his work and while I do check out other SB Nation stuff from time to time I probably would've missed this one. That would've been a mistake.
What you call a quadruple option is called an RPO (run pass option) , where a secondary player or a linebacker is read by the qb , in a play involving a running play and a passing concept. It is very popular in today’s college/nfl football world !
How could you not mention Georgia Tech during the triple option??
RIP Paul Johnson
Or army
Because Tech runs a High School Offense with Middle School Talent.
Army is the best at running the triple option currently, tech hasn't run it right for a while now. It's like Johnson didn't trust his quarterbacks to read it all the time
Because they're stopping.
Love it! Can always use more "exes and ohs" types of content! Can't wait to see more
I love x's and o's stuff like this! Please make this a regular series!
Should be noted that in your "quadruple option" example you should a clip of a CFL game. Canadian football is 12-players-a-side rather than 11 in American football. You're more likely to see that "quadruple" there rather than in the US because you've got one more guy at your disposal.
Also, calling it a quadruple option is a bit of a misnomer.
Terram Lucida Tela Concilium exactly, that “4th” option is really a passing read. If this was the case a quarterback in a 5 wide set is running a sextuplet option play.
@@jarjarkinks716 It is really just an RPO with a high-low read. In theory the QB always has the option to run.
Unlimited motion in the offensive backfield also helps to set up more option plays too
Excellente chente
man, that was a KILLER shovel pass at 2:50
To me, the interesting follow up to this vid would we "times the defender forces the more difficult play, which failed". On occasions when I've played defense (be it soccer or field hockey), some of my best plays are when I've forced a tricky play that didn't come off.
The best way to stop the other team to run the option is to hit the Qb no matter what. It's trickery so you can just play it as being fooled and hes a runner for the most part so hitting him is fine. Most teams will stop running it to protect their Qb from taking so many hits that he doesnt even have the ball for. Trust your teammates that they'll stop the RB. One thing my coahces would tell us is stay square if your the end or OLB once you tunr your shoulders its over. And OLB's and DE's have the outside threat the ILB's and DT's have the inside threat, once you look at it that way it takes away the process of figuring out who has the ball
Just now seeing this vid and this reply. Georgia Southern runs the triple option out of shotgun and their past qb's have been smart enough to slide in the open field (if surrounded by defenders) or dive towards the ground (if they see someone in front of them they cant juke) in order to not take unneccasary hits.
It's one of the reasons why that offense works so well. No team is going to hit the QB multiple times no matter what if he's shown the inclination to slide. No one wants to lose thier best defensive players due to targeting or a helmet to helmet collision.
2:51 Aaron Hernandez really kills this option play. Executes it perfectly and hung the defense out to dry!
Basketball is my favorite sport. I like the way they dribble up and down the court.
The classic Zone Read kings were Pat White and Steve Slaton at WVU in the mid-aughts
Thanks. This was a very informative video, not just on the option, but even showing just the different formations, that may be something basic but I'm european, I've never played american football, and now i'm starting to watch CFB/NFL (mostly CFB) and I need to learn all of the basic things.
I really love this style of video, I hope you all do more of these. Some constructive criticism from a big fan who really wants yall to succeed:
As someone who is a casual football fan at best, I found this video moved a little too quickly for me. I really wanted to understand each of the points he was making and see the defender's mistake in each of the clips but the editing was too fast for me to keep up. I think if you had allowed an extra mintues worth of time on the video for the same amount of content I would have been able to follow a lot better.
We need more flexbone teams
I SAWED THIS DEFENSE IN HALF!
what i love about the option is the fact that the T can block in the second level, be it a LB or DB. i think that's more important than the isolation of the DE
Oh my god! You showed a clip from the CFL! I'm a happy Canadian.
The Army-Navy game this weekend will have the option on show heavily.
I actually love the option offense because it’s all about reading one or several players at one time. Just the read option is my favorite out of all the other options because it’s mostly a basic play when you first look at it but it has several options on it and you can throw out of it if you sense that the defense is creeping up on you in the running game.
Paul Johnson is the Goat!!!!!!!!!!
This is fantastic.
Mentioned Navy for the triple option, but not Georgia Tech lmao
Same! It's not hard to find some modern clips of the option given that every offensive play for GT in the last 10+ years has been the triple option
Also navy and airforce but not army... who has the CIC rn??
FWIW Paul Johnson just retired so it's entirely possible that GT doesn't run the triple in the immediate future
More stuff like this would be great!!
One part you left out about the wishbone is that it had the fourth option of the flipping the ball to the end as a reverse.
So, it is more truly a quadruple option than the RPO with high-low read that you show as a quadruple option. If you're going to call that a quadruple option you can call a RPO with three routes a quintuple option.
Insane to think there are coaches who shy away from the option as a concept. Imagine running a pass play with only one receiver running one route.
Buh.... buh...... but old school football
Your example of a quadruple option was just a triple option with a WR screen instead of a slotback pitch. To have an option you need to "read" a defender. In a triple option, you read two defenders.
Jason Garrett needs to utilize this with Dak and Zeke. Cowboys will be unstoppable with this. What he lacks in arm strength and accuracy, he can make up with his IQ and use his legs. You've heard it from almost every opponent they play. "As long as we stop the run, stack the box and make Dak throw, we've got a good chance of beating the Cowboys." These plays will make up for his mistakes as he continue to mature as a football player. He's really big QB and we still get the ball to our main skill position player, Zeke. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's thought more about this. Surely, the offensive coordinator has a good reason as to why we don't do this more often.
Hey, people who know the CFL exists! Do some more!
more of this formation stuff
You should do a video like this on 1-3-1 in hockey, aka the trap
If you ever watch Rugby or Rugby League, basically ever offensive play is based on essentially this concept. They just do it faster, with more players and anywhere on the field. It’s usually referred to as the “Draw and Pass” because all that’s happening is that you’re running a player at a defender or even two defenders and then trying to draw one or both and then passing to a teammate to run through the gap those now out of position players have left. Nice to see it explained in a different sport though.
Miss you already CPJ
Quality content. Not pretty good, but damn well decent. And informative. Well done.
I find that an offense is deadliest when the players can execute two schemes under one unified playbook. Take the Seahawks 2018 offense; it is basically a version of Air Coryell, but if you analyze the plays more closely, you realize that the team uses a mix of QB option & play action, and the 'Hawks have been great at executing this type of offense. It utilizes the throwing strength, and deep ball accuracy, of Wilson, and because they have a great running attack/offensive line they can go into the Play Action whenever they want.
There's a reason that the option is a staple of college offenses, and is utilized as much in the same way at the professional level. It's because the one component needed more than any other to make the option work is speed. The NFL has speed at every position, so it is far more difficult to get around a guy, even if they are out of position. Where an option might consistently pick up 5 or more ypc, that number is likely less than 3 ypc in the pros. That would turn into a lot of 3 and outs, which is why you see more pass option plays in the NFL. Bigger chunks of yards are needed than a typical option can provide when the QB/RB combo isn't guaranteed to be the two most athletic guys on the field.
Nebraska had the best option out of the I formation. They should still be running it today
The Army/Navy/Georgia Tech option really isn't a triple option, since there isn't anything to read on the dive option, the real triple option is the shovel pass and/or run pass option
The "quadruple" option is called an RPO (run pass option).
That was amazing!
The option is alive and well in the NFL with teams like the Chiefs and the Eagles using it to great effectiveness.
This video depresses me so much! #BringbackNCAA!!!!
Don't forget the Veer option offense!
Semantics, but that Oregon-Stanford play at 1:47 is from 2011, NOT 2010.
Why can’t we have the quintuple option now? We sort of already have the triple and quadruple option in rpos. Why not have a triple option run with 2 receivers running various routes ?
Interesting. I always pictured this as the ideal offense for a team with no big obvious strength or which excelled at improvising. Never knew the point was essentially "hit it where they ain't".
There's no question that, with the right personnel, this offense can work wonders. From what I can see, the main limitations are that 1. all the ball handlers have to be smart, quick-thinking, and in sync, and 2. it needs a quarterback who can either avoid big hits or isn't afraid to take them. If a quarterback has fast feet but a less than impressive arm, like Tim Tebow, the option could be a viable alternative to a more conventional passing attack.
The bottom line is that college teams will do whatever it takes to win; making the opposition look like utter fools is just a nice little bonus.
NFL teams typically don’t do this, because your QB takes a lot of hits. With the pros that guy is an investment. You’re paying him to throw, not pick up six yards and get hit by a safety.
Typically, defensive ends are taught to close down (shuffle parallel to the line of scrimmage) to force the QB to give the ball. Undisciplined DEs will run upfield and create a huge cutback lane for the RB after the QB gives it to him.
Could you guys do a Beef History on Ryan Reaves and Tom Wilson
I see NFL Defenders Bluff like they are going at the RB then at the last moment change direction and head for the QB. Or vic versa. One NFL recent defender had his head looking at the RB while his body was running toward the QB!
He just retired: Bill Snyder ran the option to perfection on his great squads. He also stopped running it almost entirely his last two seasons. Does anyone know why? Also: Anyone have an opinion about running the option to the short side of the field? Worthless? Trickery?
Not sure if this is ethical, but if the defense hit the quarterback every time they ran an option they would stop running it. I'm sure they'd get flagged a lot for it, but it would be legitimate to say you didn't realize the quarterback didn't have the ball
Wouldn't work. College quarterbacks are disposable.
That's interesting. I wonder how Louisville is doing without Lamar Jackson
Cool video!
You need to make a video about why this DOESNT work in the NFL. If it works so well to deceive defenders, why does no NFL defense have it as a staple of their offense? Kaep and the 49ers and Cam Newton and the Panthers used it heavily for a little bit but then it got snuffed out and is basically dead in the NFL. You still see it every now and then but wayyyyyy less than you do in college.
Jansen Ravioli he really makes it seem like it can't be defended. This play is risky!
Teams use the option all the time in the NFL. Maybe there aren’t exactly option offenses based entirely around it but the Chiefs, Ravens, Titans, Panthers, Bears, Cowboys, Seahawks, Texans and Bills use it with some frequency. Many of these teams use it multiple times a game
Only reason it isn’t as viable in the NFL is it’s rare to have an option QB athletic enough to consistently be a running threat who’s also a good enough pure passer to be a starting NFL QB. But for those who are it’s almost always in the playbook
Two main reasons:
1. Pro defenses are bigger, faster, stronger and better coached than college defenses. NFL defensive players, if left unblocked, will be in the backfield well before the QB can make up his mind.
2. The QB takes too much physical punishment. They can handle that for 4 years against college-level defenses. But in the NFL, where the defenses are much bigger and hit so much harder, QBs can't hold up to those beatings over 10-15 years.
Carolina absolutely still uses it, a lot. Especially now with Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel
Just because no team has it as a staple of their offense does not mean it doesn't work. Lots of teams still use it from time to time.
My high school team runs the option and we suck at it.
We are pretyy good at it
Illegal formation at the 1:02 mark. Not enough men on the line of scrimmage. 5 yard penalty, repeat 3rd down.
Army is a nationally ranked team right now whose offense is completely based on the triple option. How are they not mentioned?
How do you not show any Auburn???
ayyy let's go 'Skers
Outside the CFL example, there aren't really any professional teams you mentionef that use the option as their primary offensive attack.
Is the NFL so much faster that options don't work outside of potential trick plays, i.e. Wildcat.
nice shout out to Fishduck
What? No love for the split-back veer?
hey can you do a The Worst video about hue jackson thank you
So, basically, have options, and see what the defense does, and do the option that counters.
The option isn't that hard to stop as long as you have disciplined defenders. D End takes QB, D Tackles & LBs play the running back, and depending on what formation, a nickel, dime, strongside backer or even safety over the top has pitch. As long as everyone plays their role, the option can be stopped.
Can someone explain to me what "read" in terms of football exactly means?
Okay, but how come everyone was saying the Read Option was going to change Football just a couple years ago, but now hardly anybody runs it like they used to? The Redskins, 49ers, and Seahawks all toned it down. Why? Did defenses find a way to stop it?
Run pass options?
When the hell was Tenessee #9?
When thinking of the triple option I think of Navy.
Now I understand why my offense never gets stopped on Madden 😂 I'm essentially running a pass focused quadruple option
Wish bone, the flex, I formation, single wing, the T, splitback. .... basically every formation from the past to present, there is nothing new under the sun
Ran the triple option in high school won a state title
If it is a pitch option as a defender. Always make the QB pitch it. More chance of a dropped ball.
Stopped watching after the inference that LB was the GOAT
The video makes it sound like defenders don't know what to do. Every edge defender at the college level knows whether he should crash or stay should he be unblocked. They look silly when they try to play both.
triple option and no mention of paul johnson, smh...
WE LIKE SPORTS AND WE DON'T CARE WHO KNOWS
Welcome to college football saturday
When we defend option the DE has the QB
An entire video about the option without one mention of Georgia Tech?
Sir Donald Bradman please.
calgary what what! Go Stamps
Now that CPJ is gone, power 5 option football is dead.
It took 2 and a half minutes to show Air Force running the option? And almost as long to show Navy? c'mon! They're probably the best teams to begin with.
The NFL doesn't run the option very much because they don't want their QB to get injured and doing it from wildcat is too predictable. College teams don't run the option as much as they used to because they are more serious about recruiting the best players and the best offensive players don't want to go to an option school where their NFL dreams will be destroyed. It's not because the option is ineffective.
on the diagram y'all got the z receiver completely uncovered...sloppy
Fear the veer
Poor Defensive end looking bad af in front of scouts if he's way to easily fooled
LeBron wouldn't have to try and defend two players if the other players on his team put forth the effort to play defense.
You said GOAT but MJ isn’t here...?
Beat Navy
Why not just cream the quarterback every time? Even if he hands the ball off he’s gonna pay for it.
“No one can guard 2 players at once...not even the GOAT.” Why is there an unrelated video of Lebron not playing defense in this video. Bad editing.
Go Ducks
503
Too bad lebron does not play defense anyway
Bron is a GOAT not THE GOAT tho. That belongs to Brian Scalabrine
*RUclips TeenyBopper-* Ive got the 4th comment!
*WORSHIP ME!*
Lebron not even close to the goat on defense.... jusssss sayinnnnn
Great video. The voice guy though... very annoying. And -Lebron is not the GOAT.
Early
CFL>NFL