Triple Option from the Gun, Pistol & I Formation
Paul Murphy, HFC
Waubonsie Valley H. S.
Aurora, IL paul_murphy@ipsd.org

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O O O X O O O
1 2 3 50 7 8 9
4 Q 6
5
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F5, F55, Y3, Y7, Z2, Z8, etc.

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Triple Option from the Gun
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Zone Read Option – ran 119 times for
8.9 avg and 11 TD's
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Triple Option from Pistol/I formation
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Freeze Option – ran 53 times for 9.2 avg and 5 TD's

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2 X 1 w/split backs, I, Pistol & Pistol 2 back
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3 x 1 w/ off set back & Pistol back
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2 x 2 w/off set back & Pistol back

Zone Read Triple Option
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OL splits: 2 feet from C – G – T, and 3 feet to TE
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Depth of OL dependent on ability, hug LOS or helmets at
Ctr's waist
RB aligns w/toes at 5 or 5 ½ yds, align over guard
QB heels at 4 ½ yds behind center
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WR's alignment based on formation and hash
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Go to drawing

QB Keys, RB mesh & Steps, WR Rules
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QB steps and turns to face read, extends ball and meshes w/RB
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RB slide steps, aims for near leg of center, meshes w/QB, hammers LOS, key DL over Guard if even over Ctr if odd
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Pitch Back – Sprint to pitch relationship, calls ball, ball, ball, be ready to catch pitch
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WR Rules – Cover 1 – run -off, Cover 2 – call Tuna, block Sy, Cover 3 – Stalk block CB, Cover 4 – Treat as
Cover 3

Blocking Schemes
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OL Blocking Schemes
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Vertical Double team
Horizontal Double team
Pure Zone
Wedge blocking
See Drawings
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Show video

Freeze option from Pistol
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Splits same as Zone Read
QB depth moves to 3 ½ yds behind center
RB depth toes stay at 5 ½ yds, move to behind QB
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WR's align based on formation call and hash
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Go to drawing

QB Keys, RB mesh & aiming pt., WR Rules
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QB steps off mid-line and extends ball and meshes w/RB while reading give/pull key
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Dive Back hammers LOS, aims for the butt of the center, mesh w/QB, key DL over Guard if even over Ctr if odd
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Pitch Back – Sprint to pitch relationship, call ball, ball, ball, be ready to catch pitch
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WR Rules – Cover 1 – run -off, Cover 2 – call Tuna, block Sy, Cover 3 – Stalk block CB, Cover 4 – Treat as
Cover 3

Blocking Schemes
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OL Blocking Schemes
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Vertical Double team away from call
Trap block
Pure Zone away from call
Wedge blocking
See Drawings
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Show video

Double Option
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Stretch Read
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Only alignment adjustment is to align RB &
QB at the same depth
Go to drawing
Show video
Speed Option
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Another play that gets you to the perimeter
Go to drawing
Show video