Unleashing the Power of Choice: A Deep Dive into the Option Offense
Mar 25, 2024 4:09 pm
Coach ,
The option is definitely an offense you go all in on. It is not only heavy on teaching keys and decision making but it also has a thoughty process for the play caller in the way he approaches attacking a defense.
However, there’s definitely some things you can glean from a study of the offense that can help your own offense.
It’s something Brennan Marion, now the OC/QB Coach at UNLV has done with his “Go-Go” Offense. The guys at Liberty have an option aspect of their offense as well and that success started when they were at Coastal Carolina. OC Willy Korn talks option/rpo here.
So whether it’s something you are going all-in on or something you simply want to learn from, Coach Kauffman takes you through some ideas today.
-Coach Grabowski
Unleashing the Power of Choice: A Deep Dive into the Option Offense
Maybe this off season you are looking for something to spice up your offense? Maybe you repeatedly have skill players but remain undersized on the lines. A wrinkle of the option could be a great base addition for you whether you make it the entirety of your offense or just a piece. Looking into these courses below hopefully you gain options and a base framework to incorporate something like this as either a changeup or a base for success as you move forward in revolutionizing your scheme.
The QB Checklist
Starting this conversation off is Coach Brent Thompson formerly the Head Coach of the Citadel and currently with the ECU Pirates.
In the option offense, the quarterback reigns supreme. They act as the conductor of the play, deciphering defensive alignments pre-snap and making critical choices on the fly based on defender movement. Their understanding of formations, coupled with the ability to identify favorable matchups, is paramount. Each read dictates the play's direction, whether handing off, keeping the ball themselves, or pitching to a trailing back. Essentially, the quarterback is the steering wheel of this intricate offense, their decisions directly impacting the success of each play and ultimately, the entire game.
Pitch Progressions
Building upon the progression of the play we have to get a stable pitch progression. The pitch brings so much worry to those looking to use these tactics as it presents a potential turnover if done poorly. Coach Cody Worley of Army breaks down this step.
Dissecting the "pitch key" scenarios is the lifeblood of the option offense. Each scenario presents a unique puzzle, demanding a specific read and subsequent action. Based on these movements and the familiarity and recognition of the reads for the pitch, your QB can make an appropriate decision. Mastering the "pitch key" is akin to unlocking the offense's full potential, turning the quarterback into the mastermind behind every successful play. By defining these and putting them into language you streamline the process of understanding for your athletes.
Variety of Offense
Adding to the thoughts of the option offense is Head Coach Ralph Isernia of RPI.
While the option offense provides a strong foundation, it shouldn't be viewed as a restrictive box. Coach Isernia emphasizes the importance of staying true to your core principles while embracing opportunities to expand the playbook with strategic add-ons. This flexibility allows you to tailor the offense to your team's strengths and exploit specific defensive weaknesses. Importantly, these enhancements don't require drastic changes but allows added formations, personnel, and tempos. These can be seamlessly integrated into your existing framework, adding another layer of complexity and unpredictability to keep defenses guessing.
As Always,
Compete!
Coach Kauffman
P.S.
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