Quarterback Option Reads
We teach the triple option, midline option and double options (down option, belly option, speed and lead option). We have a base philosophy with all the options for the Quarterback. His read basics are broken into two seperate decision points - give unless and pitch unless. These simple rules make it easier for quarterback to be read the option successfully. The triple option or midline option - dive read is give unless the defender has absolutely taken away the dive. The quarterback is never wrong for giving the ball on the dive portion of the triple option. This gives the Quarterback some security on his decision process and gives him confidence to make the proper decisions. It also helps him from making what I call and either or poor decision. An either or poor decision is one which the quarterback comes to the line of scrimmage with a thought process of "I am either giving the ball or pulling the ball. This will lead to poor execution on the option and not give him the base for which to build on good decisions. The quarterback will make a high percentage of good decision if he walks up to the line of scrimmage with the thought process of I am giving the ball unless there is no way the defense is going to allow me to do this. The only way the defense will make me pull it is if the dive read gap blocks the tailiback on his option path.
Teaching Progression For Quarterback on Triple Option
1. Give unless. Have the QB look at the eyes of the DE (dive read or #1) and give the ball. Do this for a day. Must give multiple reps at this.
2. Give unless Read. Have the QB look at the eyes of the DE (dive read or #1) and read him. Give the ball unless he takes it away. The definition of taking it away is the DE (diver read or #1) gap blocks the Tailback or puts his head in front of the Tailback. Give the "give read" most often but every 5th read give a pull read to get things started.
3. Give unless Read and Pull. Have the QB look at the eyes of the DE (Dive read or #1) and read him. If he takes it away pull the ball and run to the pitch read or #2. Once you get to the pitch faze - it becomes pitch unless. Give him a pull read most often but every 5th read give a "give read"
4. Give unless and now pitch unless. Pitch the ball unless he takes it away. Get close to the pitch read and pitch the ball if you are able.
IMPORTANT: The QB must not second guess his reads. He must not try and think or guess what you want him to do but instead "trust" his eyes and do what his eyes tell him. If he makes a mistake - ask him what he saw and then explain to him what you as the coach saw then tell him to read the next one independent of the last read. It is important that he use his eyes and take each read independent of the last read or he will get into a guessing game, like a hitter trying to figure out what pitch the pitcher is coming with next.
The Option pitch Technique
We tell our quarterbacks to drive the thumb through the football and aim for the numbers of he back receiving the ball. We begin by drilling the "hea rt to heart" theme. We pitch "heart to heart" to make sure the pitch is up near the numbers of the running back. We also sometimes utilize the basketball technique if the quarterback struggles with the previous technique. This technique is flipping the ball by pushing the ball with your near hand towards the back like you are shooting a basketball. This sometimes is easier for some quarterbacks. We are interested in execution with a small amount of errors per practice attempts.
82/88 Down option or Down Load
This play we are loading or logging the dive read and double option the pitch read. We are blocking #1 and pitching off of #2 using option counting rules. The QB can expect on this play that he will be keeping the ball. As he attacks the pitch read he should stay in the alley - hash to numbers to sideline. If into the boundary just numbers to sideline.
83/87 Belly Option
This option usually is run to the split side - we are again blocking #1 and pitching off of #2. This is also a double option. The QB again will be attacking the pitchman and use the pitch unless read.
Score Big!
Coach Hrovat