Coach -

Few things keep defensive coaches up at night like preparing for the option.

It’s a completely different animal—formations, motions, and assignments that don’t look like what you face in a normal week. If your defense isn’t trained to handle it, the game feels like it lasts forever.

That’s why defending the option isn’t just about scheme—it’s about how you teach it. You need discipline, eye control, and reps in group work. If you can stay sound and knock the offense out of rhythm, you give yourself a chance.

Here are 3 proven keys to defending the triple option from coaches who’ve had real success against it:

1. Understand Personnel

At Hampden-Sydney College, Vince Luvara emphasizes that option offenses thrive on mismatches. If you don’t know how they’re grouping personnel, you’re already behind. He details how to identify packages and match them correctly:

Video: Personnel Groupings & Packages

2. Stem the Fronts

Adam Gaylor (Jenks HS, OK) points out that option teams want a clean read. By stemming or moving your front late, you force bad calls or hesitation. Most option teams won’t retarget in time—putting them in a bad play before the ball is even snapped:

Video: Movement

3. Play from Familiar Structures

For Baylor Defensive Analyst  Brian Vaughn, the key is starting in something players already know. His split-safety base allows defenders to communicate and adjust without overthinking—keeping confidence high while still sound against option looks:

Video: Rotate Coverage

Bottom line: don’t reinvent the wheel. Build from what your players know, introduce adjustments early in camp, and you’ll save yourself sleepless nights down the road.

Keep growing,

Coach Grabowski

P.S. Want the full clinic series? The Defend the Option bundle includes detailed breakdowns from Coaches Luvara, Gaylor, and Vaughn—everything you need to prep your defense for the challenge.