Option "Musts" and the critically important "Option Alley

by Larry Beckish

Publisher's note: We're thrilled to have Larry Beckish back with us after a serious illness. He's back at the keyboard sharing his thoughts, expertise and passion for option football and will be speaking at two clinics this year. We have included Larry's Contact Information and clinic "gigs" at the end of this article.

To successfully and consistently run a dive option the offense must:

I. Protect the mesh

Whether it’s a trap option, (midline or freeze) the inside veer, the outside veer, or the belly the offense can’t function with defensive gap penetration which disrupts the quarterback - dive back mesh. Penetration forces the quarterback off the line of scrimmage providing the defense with more reaction time. It prevents the quarterback from reaching the option man and forces impulsive pitches which result in turnovers. Teach gap responsibilities to the offensive linemen and the dive back.

II. Run the option alley

To the tight end side of the formation the inside edge of the alley is 5-6 yards outside the tight end. The alley is about eight yards wide. The same parameters apply to the split end side of the formation.

The outside edge of the alley angles to the front pylon on the goal line. The option alley is a running lane for the quarterback and pitch back to run the ball to the outside third of the field where most big plays occur. The option alley places pressure on the defense by limiting the effectiveness of pursuit. It guides the quarterback and pitch back away from the heart of the defense. The quarterback and pitch back run ‘northeast,’ by running to the hash, numbers, and up the boundary.


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