Option - Loaded For Success

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n behalf of the Bridgewater College offensive staff it is a privilege to share with you a breakdown of our load option play. Last year a large portion of the 242 ypg. rushing we generated was the result of our basic option attack. Although I now coach the quarterback position, years spent on the defensive side of the ball have made me appreciate the value of good option offense. The option is a great leveler of the playing field that reduces pressure for an offense while demanding time and discipline in defensive preparation. Nickel and dime coverage and jet type rushers slow down when “Who has the dive or quarterback or pitch?” are thrown into the defensive equation. In our basic option package the load option gives us a “Go” play once it is called in the huddle regardless of the defensive alignment. Although it falls into our double option category (quarterback or pitch), the load principle keeps the fullback involved. Using the cut block by the fullback on defensive ends works their minds and slows their feet. When our linemen recognize the defensive alignments and make the appropriate blocking calls they are able to get off the ball without hesitation and reading. In this article Bob Colbert, offensive coordinator, can get you “Loaded for Success.” We prefer to run the play so we can option the secondary support player. If the defensive end plays wide and forces the quarterback to option him, our wide receiv er must be able to block the support player. If the wide receiver cannot block the support player, our choice is either to run a play action pass using the load action or to not call the play. Our responsibility is to keep the quarterback out of a bad play. We run the load option to the tight end side as well as the split end side. This article deals with running the play to the tight end side. This play complements our offtackle power play to the tight side where the tight end is blocking down on the five technique defensive tackle. When the defensive end starts to squeeze the tight end’s block we then run the load option.

Diagram 1: Off-Tackle Power Block Scheme

Playside Rules by Position Tight End Covered and playside tackle covered by five technique: Double with playside tackle to the playside linebacker. Covered by a seven technique: Drive the seven. Covered with a nine technique and playside tackle uncovered: Veer to the playside linebacker.

Option: Loaded for Success

Mike Clark Tight Tackle Covered with a five technique: Double with the tight end. Covered with a 4I technique: Zone with the playside guard. Uncovered: Double or fold with the playside guard. The decision to double or fold will depend how the three technique is playing. If he plays a penetrating technique and is difficult to block we will use a double. If he plays more of a read technique we will use a fold and get the playside guard outside onto the playside linebacker. Tight Guard Covered with a three technique: Double with the playside tackle. Covered with a 2I technique: Zone with the center. Uncovered with a shade nose guard on center: Zone with center. Uncovered with a 4I technique on playside tackle: Zone with the playside tackle. Uncovered and no shades to either side: Pull to the playside linebacker. When pulling for the playside linebacker, turn up in the C Gap area and look inside. If the playside linebacker is not there block any secondary support player who crosses your path. Center Covered with a shade nose guard to the play side: Zone with the playside guard. Covered with a head up or shade away nose guard: Scoop with the backside guard. Uncovered with a 2I shade on the playside guard: Zone with the playside guard. If the playside guard is not shaded: Release through the playside AGap to the linebacker. Fullback We will either offset the fullback to the playside or have him motion to an offset alignment when the ball is snapped. His aiming point is the outside hip of the tight

• AFCA Summer Manual — 2001 •

Head Coach Bridgewater College Bridgewater, Va.

Bob Colbert Offensive Coordinator

end. He will cut the outside thigh of the defensive end. If the defensive end jumps outside the fullback will let him go and continue on his path. He will then look for the scraping inside linebacker. Load vs. the 50 Defense: Tight End Side

Diagram 2

Diagram 3

with the backside tackle. Covered with a 2I technique: Reach and cut the defender. Uncovered with backside shade nose guard or head up nose guard: Scoop with the center. Uncovered with center shaded to the playside: Arrow directly to linebacker depth: Block opposite color. Tackle Covered with a 4I technique: Reach and cut the defender. Covered with a five technique: Funnel the backside B Gap. Uncovered with three technique on backside guard: Zone with the backside guard. When we ask the backside tackle to funnel he is to step hard to the B Gap preventing any penetration. If nobody shows in that gap he should turn outside and bump any wide defender off his pursuit path Load vs. 50 Defense: Split Side

Diagram 6 Load vs. the Eagle Defense: Tight End Side

Diagram 4

Diagram 7

Diagram 5

blocked by the fullback he continues to the secondary support player and options him. If the wide receiver has blocked the support player, the quarterback continues to the next outside defender and options him. If the defensive end jumps outside, the fullback continues on his path and blocks the inside linebacker and the quarterback options the defensive end. We are counting on the wide receiver blocking the inside support defender if he can get to him. As a philosophy we do not mind the corner back having to tackle our tailback. We like our chances of the tailback out-running the defender or making him miss the tackle in the open field. Tailback The tailback takes a direct pitch path to ensure he stays parallel to the quarterback until the quarterback begins to turn upfield. The tailback should be ready for a quick pitch if necessary. With the quarterback taking a reverse pivot and the tailback releasing immediately they should have a good pitch relationship of about 4-5 yards depth and width. Receivers Playside: Use a push crack technique against a four across secondary. This assists us if the defensive end makes the quarterback option him. If the secondary is playing a man coverage use a runoff technique. Backside: He is responsible for the defensive back to his side. He should prevent the defender from getting to the ball by using a runoff technique versus man coverage or a cutoff technique versus zone coverage.

Diagram 9

Load vs. Eagle Defense: Split Side

Diagram 8

As previously mentioned, we like to run this option when the defensive end is squeezing the tight end’s down block on our off-tackle play. The off-tackle play is our most frequently run power play. Rules for the Backside Position Guard Covered with a three technique: Zone

Quarterback We have the quarterback reverse pivot and attack downhill. If the defensive end is

• AFCA Summer Manual — 2001 •

If we want to slow down the secondary support, we run a play action pass using the load backfield action. Now the fullback must block the defensive end regardless of his reaction to the play. The quarterback starts downhill then kicks back three steps for his throw to the wide receiver. We use our three-step pass protection with the offensive

line and keep the tight end in to block the C Gap. The playside wide receiver starts inside on his crack path toward the support defender. He then bursts upfield at a depth of about 6-7 yards. It is his responsibility to stay out of the middle of the field. This should give us a one-on-one situation with the cornerback if he is not supporting the pitch. This play action pass has provided us with some big plays and has made the secondary support defender more cautious and slower to support on the run.

Diagram 10

Bridgewater averaged 418 yards a game in total offense in 2000 due in large part to its option attack.

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For more information contact: The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Inc. 22 Maple Avenue Morristown, New Jersey 07960-5212 Phone: 973-829-1933 • AFCA Summer Manual — 2001 •