Attack the space the defense gives with Option Routes
Apr 25, 2022 4:19 pm
Coach ,
As your team is able to get out and throw the ball around this summer, you may want to explore option routes and how they can add a different dynamic to your offense.
The concept of the option route is pretty simple - go where they aren’t. Making it successful does require some thought on how the routes around the option route will open up the spaces and remove other defenders thus creating an isolation for the option route.
Corner Option
Cortez Hankton, who helped the Georgia Bulldogs win a national championship is now the WR coach for LSU. From a stacked alignment, he likes the corner option to allow his receiver to get the ball in space. In this option route, the receiver can attack the middle if the defender vacates. He can sit vs. zone or break out vs. man. And if the defense is using a “rat” inside, he can break away from that defender. Coach Hankton explains “Corner Option” here (click image for video):
Short Option
If you run RPO, inevitably you will see man coverage. The key to defeating man is to be able to allow defenders to run away from the defenders leverage which is exactly what Washington University Head Coach Aaron Keen likes to do with their “Short Option” concept. In addition to defeating the defenses leverage, the concept provides some great answers to pressure which usually is something the defense will do in man. He explains how they use “Short Option” here (click image for video):
Option off Verticals
If you have a strong four vertical passing game, the option route off of it creates some space underneath or intermediate against that defense that is running with your seams well. Again, it boils down to reading the leverage of the defenders. The QB has reads away from the drop of the Mike who could take the inside vertical away if it was thrown to the side he’s dropping to. Harvard OC Mickey Fein explains how they utilize the option route off of four verticals here (click image for video)
Option routes are nothing new. If you take a look at your current passing game, you probably have concepts in which tagging a receiver as the option route runner can work well. The idea is that other routes serve the purpose of creating space and eliminating defenders.
A great time to work on these ideas is in your upcoming 7-on-7’s where the QB and receivers can start to develop a feel of how to break as well as ball placement without the added dynamic of pass rush and pressure. After getting on the same page in 7-on-7 , they will be able to begin to do it under pressure.
As you know, if you can get more mileage out of whatever you have, it is definitely better for player learning and provides the play-caller answers within what you already do.
Always be growing!
Coach Grabowski