O
n behalf of Texas Christian University,
TC U O pt io n
Head Coach Gary Patterson, and the
entire offensive coaching staff, I would like
Attack
to say that it is a great honor and privilege
to be included as a contributing member to
the 2003 AFCA Summer Manual.
Background
Throughout the course of my coaching
career, I have been fortunate enough to
have extensive exposure to the option from
several great football minds. This exposure
began with my father who worked under
Bill Yeoman at the University of Houston
during the time that the split back veer was
first designed and introduced into college
football.
I was next allowed the privilege of work-
ing for 11 years under the tutelage of
Dennis Franchione (currently the head
coach at Texas A&M University) who has
successfully used the option at seven dif-
ferent schools. It is necessary that I men-
tion these names to you because it is
essentially many of their ideas that I have
adopted and am sharing with you today.
Why Option
There are four main reasons that I
believe in the option and have chosen it to
be a staple of TCU’s offensive attack. First
of all, it is a unique play. It is something that
allows our offense to be different, and it
forces the defense to prepare for some-
thing that they do not see every week.
Next, the option provides us a simple way
to deal with a blitzing defense.
The option has become an active part of
our blitz menu and, as a result, has greatly
reduced the amount of blitzes that we see.
Third, it forces a defense to play assign-
ment-oriented football on every snap.
Finally, it allows us a way to attack the
perimeter while eliminating one critical
block at the point of attack.
Which Option
Throughout my career and continuing
here at TCU, I have been a big believer in
the double option. Here at TCU, we have
implemented a way to build the double
option so that it complements our inside
zone, another staple of our offense. It is
also a play that does not require as
demanding a time investment as the other
forms of the option, such as the inside veer.
Thus, we can avoid becoming one-dimen-
sional and can still focus on developing the
other facets of our offense.
Lead Option
While there are different forms of the
double option (loaded option), and while
these different forms can be run out of
many formations, backfield sets and
motions, the focus of this article will be on
running the Lead Option out of a one-back,
four-wide out, balanced formation.
When I talk about the Lead Option, I am
referring to the double option (quarterback
pitch or keep) where we read the five-tech-
nique as our pitch key. We run this play for
two primary reasons. First, it provides us a
way to diversify our offense with play that
complements our inside zone scheme.
Second, the Lead Option allows us to
attack the perimeter without blocking the
five-technique, which is generally one of
the defense’s better players.
Teaching the Lead Option
Diagram 1
Quarterback: To run the Lead Option, we
ask our quarterback to first identify the pitch
key. It is crucial that he understands he is only
to pitch the ball off of this defender. Pitching
off of another defender can compromise the
play and can lead to negative yardage. An
example of this would be pitching off of a line-
backer who has run through a gap. This
would allow the pitch key, who is unblocked,
to run free and prematurely tackle the pitch
man behind the line of scrimmage.
The next point of emphasis for the quar-
terback is his footwork. He will reverse out
taking his first steps (working off the clock)
at six o’clock, seven o’clock and pivot (the
first two steps are identical to our inside
zone play). The pivot should bring the
shoulder pads around until they are
squared to the pitch key. Now the quarter-
back should attack, using the pitch key’s
inside shoulder as his aiming point.
By attacking the inside shoulder, we are
forcing the pitch key to make a decision to
take either the quarterback or the pitch.
The quarterback must be prepared to run
the football if the five-technique has com-
mitted himself to the quarterback, then the
quarterback will attack hard enough to
waste the defensive end and then execute
a stop-step-pitch technique to deal the ball.
Note: Many coaches are uncomfortable
with the idea of the quarterback turning his
back on the pitch key on his first two steps,
because several defenses use a hard
charging defensive end. Fronting out is cer-
tainly a viable option, however, we believe
that there is a great benefit to reversing out.
It freezes the playside linebacker for a
count and allows the playside offensive
tackle a better chance to secure this block.
For this reason, we have no problem
spending a little extra prep time allowing
the quarterback to learn how to react to the
hard charging defensive end.
Tailback: The tailback’s option assign-
ments and rules are fairly simple. His align-
ment for this play should be toes at seven
yards deep. This will ultimately make his
transition into the pitch relationship, which
we identify as “phase,” become a natural
fit. The tailback’s first step will be a jab step
away. In conjunction with the quarterback’s
first two steps, this will contribute to freez-
ing the playside linebacker because it
resembles our inside zone.
The tailback’s eyes should be on the pitch
key. This will allow him to identify a hard
charging defensive end and alert the quar-
terback by giving him a “Quick, Quick” call.
The tailback should now work to get into
phase. We believe this relationship should
be about four yards deep and four yards in
front of the quarterback. By keeping this rela-
tionship, it allows him to square his shoulders
after receiving the pitch, and this puts him in
a better position to use his athletic ability as
he comes in contact with defenders.
After identifying the pitch key’s intentions,
the tailback’s eyes must immediately go to
the quarterback. Before the tailback even
entertains the thought of running the foot-
ball, he absolutely must secure the pitch.
This is a huge point of emphasis for us, and
we teach securing the pitch through the use
of the look-catch-tuck principles.
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The tailback must look at the quarter-
back and the football. He will then follow it
with his eyes as he executes the catch and
sees it into the tuck position. Basic ball
mechanics dictate placement in the outside
arm to achieve greatest ball security. After
securing the ball, the tailback’s final duty is
to communicate a “Go, Go, Go” call to alert
his downfield blockers.
Play Side Wide Receivers: The rules for
the playside wide receivers are few and sim-
ple. The wide receivers will take normal splits.
In our offense, that puts No. 1 on the top of the
numbers and No. 2 then splits the distance
between No. 1 and the offensive tackle. Both
playside wide receivers are responsible for
blocking man on. At the snap, they will come
off the line of scrimmage, under control, and fit
the outside number while keeping pad level
low. Ideally, we want them to seal these
defenders to the inside and stay engaged with
their blocks. This should allow for the tailback
to have a clear path to the perimeter and
down the sideline.
Back-side Wide Receivers: Both back-
side wide receivers will assume normal align-
ment rules. These rules again place No. 1 on
the top of the numbers and No. 2 splitting the
distance between No. 1 and the offensive
tackle. On the snap, both men will attack
downfield taking an angle that will allow them
to gain leverage and cut off the backside sec-
ondary pursuit. We then have them execute
a cut-block to get their man on the ground.
Offensive Line
Play-side Tackle: Three-foot split from
the guard. Dip, rip, and take appropriate
angle to seal playside linebacker.
Play-side Guard: Two-foot split from
center. Work to secure playside gap to line-
backer level.
Center: Work to secure playside gap to
linebacker level.
Back-side Guard: Two-foot split from
center. Work to secure playside gap to line-
backer level.
Back-side Tackle: Three-foot split from
the guard. Work to secure playside gap to
linebacker level.
Note: We have the ability to run this
play with linemen in a two or three point
stance.
Variations
Diagram 2
If the playside No. 2 wide receiver is
uncovered, we can use a “Cruise” technique.
In this technique, the No. 2 wide receiver
must first identify the inside linebacker. He
will then come off the ball, with his shoulders
square, and check the playside linebacker. If
he is a quick-scrape linebacker, the wide
receiver will engage him, allowing the play-
side tackle to get flat and take the free safe-
ty. If, however, the playside tackle can seal
the linebacker, then the wide receiver will
cruise to the free safety.
Conclusion
Option football has always played an
important role in our offensive philosophy. I
have shared with you just one simple concept
on how and why we utilize the option in our
offensive attack here at TCU. Hopefully, it con-
tains at least one idea or detail that you may
implement within your own system to increase
your chances at success.
In closing, I would again like to thank the
AFCA for allowing me this opportunity to
share some of my ideas with the rest of the
football coaching community. If there are
any questions unanswered, please feel
free to contact us, and best of luck to all of
you in your 2003 season.