In part I we talked about the importance of double options as part of The Triple Gun strategy. Gerry DiNardo always said “hard to read, easy to block; easy to read hard to block†and this is a simple reason for blocking the hand off key or pitching off the hand off key as was discussed in Part I. The other reason is to stretch the field and make the defense run sideline to sideline.
The “Stud Option” is a Double Option that we like vs. an eight man front when we want to seal the Hand Off Key and pitch off the strong safety. The beauty of this play is that is three plays in one and it is formation friendly. We can run the stud option from even an Empty set.
LINE PLAY
Take “Smart Splits”
Offside Line – block triple rules. From the center to the backside tackle just block veer blocking.
Onside Guard – if he is uncovered he just blocks triple rules. If he is covered then he jump reaches the man on him. We want outside position on the man on him.
Onside Tackle – he is going to combo block with the onside slot to form the “Stud Block†on the hand off key or the man on the OT. The tackle is going to first prevent penetration and then work to get outside position on the DE (hand off key).
Backfield Play
Onside Slot – combo blocks with the OT to form the “Stud Block”. He must come down hard & high and seal the edge. The first coaching point is that the slot align so he has the proper angle on the DE. Secondly he can never let the DE escape over the top of him. Thirdly STAY on the stud block until you can no longer see any of the DE’s jersey and then work upfield for the backside backer.
Tailback – flashes the fake of the Triple and then is responsible for the playside inside linebacker. He can’t allow any run through. He should wrap around the stud block and chop the linebacker scraping outside.
Off Slot – is the Pitch Man. We run this with or without motion.
Receiver Play
Onside receiver – blocks the deep third unless we are in a compressed set and make a “Crack call” in which case he would come and throw a high crack block on the Strong Safety.
Offside receiver – always check for the “Flash screen” first. If there is no flash then cut off the backside corner.
Quarterback Play
The first read for the quarterback is to check for the “Flash Screen”. If it is there throw it. Next the QB after receiving the snap checks the playside inside linebacker. If the LB’s numbers disappear the Quarterback wants to tuck the ball away and run QB keep inside. When I say the LB’s numbers disappear; I refer to the LB just turning his shoulders and sprinting to the perimeter. If the QB can see the LB’s numbers then the QB chases the Tailbacks outside hip and attacks the strong safety’s inside shoulder and options him just as he would on the Gun Triple.
So the Stud Option includes: 1) The Flash Screen 2) The QB Draw 3) The Option off the Strong Safety. Three plays in one that becomes the best play against that defensive reaction.
Variations
This play is very effective out of Ends with the ineligible end blocking the Free Safety. It is also effective from a compressed set and cracking the strong safety with a WR and pitching off a CB.
The Tail Call is the same play from Trips with the #2 Receiver cracking the Inside LB. The Tailback is now the Pitch Man. We can also run this from Empty with the TB as the Stud Blocker & the backside Slot as the Pitch Man.
This has been a very effective way to get the ball outside for us and stretches the defense so you use the whole field.
