4 Wide F Option
Option routes are always a good idea to have in your arsenal of plays. They are easy to learn, the reads are easy to make, they are very effective against blitzing defenses, zones, and man to man secondaries.
Diagramed is a simple to run, not so simple to defend, option route from a 4 Wide formation. These plays don't take much time to run but you always need a pass protection scheme and this one is pretty good considering the number of receivers actually running routes.
The center will help away from (to the left) the play. This is because we want enough blockers on the left to pick up a blitz and we will read for blitz on the right with the primary receiver (in this case the T back). The T will sit down in the area that the LB vacated for a blitz. If the LB does not blitz but instead drops deeper the T will stay where he is until the QB pumps to him then he will run an out. If the LB does not blitz or drop the T will simply sit down then run the out and look for the ball very soon into the out.
Here is what the QB is looking for.
 | The outside LB (Rover) is he being pulled to the sideline by the slot's out route? If not throw the ball to the receiver running the out. This read must be made very quickly. |
| If the LB blitzing or dropping back? If he is throw the ball to the T as he sits down in the vacated area. |
| If the LB is staying put, pump to the T then reload and throw the out route prior to the LB recovering. |
| Every now and then we will face a defense that makes a little sit and post move open. We will from time to time use this option as well. It is diagramed as a dashed line after the T sit down. |
We have experimented with letting the primary receiver run to any area he needs to to get open. We have had some success with his as well but I think it is always hard for football coaches to call these types of plays (less structured). We tag these plays as "get open" plays. It is a good idea to have a play like this for one of your receivers (usually your quickest). The receivers around him must know the complimentary routes to run in conjunction with the play. We would call something like that
Renegade C Get Open or wrist band it as (Ren C get open).
If there is interest I may diagram some plays like these. Just email me.
Robert B. Babcock voc@lvcisp.com
God Bless You!
IGWT t 2k8