400 series - The Option Pass

In this series I shall talk about how we work the pass out of the option look.

In the option there is a diving back and a trailing back while the QB works his way down the LOS (Line of Scrimmage) See below:

418 Keep

However when we run the option pass we need to make it look like we are running the option until the very last opportunity. We will than drop back and throw a pass.

In our passing model (700, 800 and 900 series) we would normally tag the receivers with the routes that they would run. However out of the option we limit the patterns that the receivers would run.

When we refer to the receivers I would refer to them by the outside/In. So the #1 play side receiver would be the farthest receiver on the outside on the play side. Backside #1 would be the outside receiver on the backside. #2 receiver play side or backside would be the next inside receiver.

We have the receivers memorize what each would run for the play. That way the rule is always the same no matter what formation we would run out of. This shall be demonstrated later.

The rules are as follows:

PS #1 - Out

PS #2 - Flag

PS #3 - Post/Flag

BS #1 - Under

BS #2 - Post

BS #3 - Seam

If we are running the 418 option Pass out of a right formation the play would look like the following. (Remember that running the ball is always an option for the QB)

We can also run the same play out of a number of different formations. Here are a couple of examples:

Power Left 418 option pass

Pro Right 418 option pass

Red Rip 418 option pass

Right Slot 418 Option Pass

As you can see we can run this play out of many different formations. This holds true for all of the plays in our playbook. This makes it look like we are a lot more complicated than we really are. It will also force defences to try and prepare for so many different looks.

Even though I have mentioned so many different series already, I believe that if you master a few plays and run them out of a number of different formations you van still be very effective and win ball games. I have tried to simplify things for my players and coaches so that we can get down to the business of perfecting plays and doing what we love. PLAYING FOOTBALL

Coach D

Confidence doesn't come out of nowhere. It's a result of something... hours and days and weeks and years of constant work and dedication. - ROGER STAUBACH