1. Ken James Northwood High School kenjames@northwood.k12.oh.us
Attacking Defenses with Triple Option Complementary Plays and Play Action Passes from Multiple Formations
Ken James
Northwood High School

2. Triple Option Complementary Running Plays: General Principles
If Defenses are chasing down the option or blitzing toward motion, you must have a sound running play or plays to hit them in the opposite Direction. For us they are the Fullback Trap, Slotback or Halfback Counter, and the Counter Option. All three plays hit away from the Quarterback’s and Fullback’s initial movement, and they also hit away from any motion that might be used.

3. FB Trap

4. Slotback Counter:

5. Counter Option

6. Here is an example of one of our answers; Belly:
In all of our game planning, we try to have answers for anything the defense can throw at us. This way, we don’t panic if something unexpected occurs.
Here is an example of one of our answers;
Belly:
We developed this play as an answer to defenses that were trying to crash linemen on the dive back and scrape LBs or safeties off on the QB. Again, it can be run from multiple formations and gives us a power off tackle play that is excellent in short yardage.

7. I Formation

8. Wishbone

9. Shotgun

10. Play Action Passing: General Principles
Be concerned with efficiency above all else. The objective is to possess the ball and then score. Style points don’t show up on the scoreboard
Consider protection first
Find a big play guy to put at SE (maybe a small, quick backup RB). If the defense has to get the safeties involved in the run game, your fast guy will get one on one coverage

11. Use west coast or run and shoot principles:
Vs. zone-expand the umbrella and settle down in open areas
Vs. man-keep moving
Make sure that two receivers are never in the same area unless they are crossing vs. man coverage.
Always attack the defender’s technique

12. Teach QB and Receivers to identify and understand coverage
Teach QB and Receivers to identify and understand coverage. If they know what route adjustments need to be made, the ball can be delivered sooner. This makes protection less of an issue.

13. Example: Verticals vs. man coverage

14. Protection
FSG to BST will block backside gap. This puts them in an advantageous position.
FST – base blocks vs. odd front, blocks backside gap vs. even front
Example:

15. Dive back will fill frontside A or B Pitch man will block DE
Blocking sets up for QB draw if everyone is covered. It also is similar to our dropback protection from our off-tackle play. This creates simplicity and allows for better execution. It also prevents the defense from getting a good read on the play.

16. From the wishbone, the FSH can block the DE
From the wishbone, the FSH can block the DE. This will look like your load blocking scheme and allow the pitch man to run a route to influence the CB or SS.

17. Base Patterns: Verticals: Typically two-man combination routes.
Use a variety of formations to get receivers into position.
Verticals:
IS – Read route (reads FS) – hitch, post, fly, (Fly – vs. man)
OS – Fly, unless CB bails hard. If you can’t get even with him, turn it into a 12-yard out.

18. Examples:

19. BS WR – runs a flash route unless given a route
BS WR – runs a flash route unless given a route. QB has license to throw to him if the DB is off and there is no WS flat defender.
Since he is behind the LOS, OL can block the LBs. This really looks like a running play, so the Defense cannot get a read on it.

20. Post Wheel Used vs. 2 deep – It looks like the blocking scheme.
It’s important that the FSH attacks the downfield shoulder of CB to get deep. If CB bails, hook up.