Throwing Option Routes

After my post on Spurrier's read curl/corner route I got a nice response about running other routes to convert versus coverages. There are many forms of this--the most viable I think that can be part of any reasonably sophisticated pass offense is the middle read, where the receiver runs a post versus MOFO (middle of the field open) and a square in versus MOFC (middle of the field closed).

However, many successful passing teams use individual option routes, particularly the strain of one-back offenses stemming from Jack Neumeier and Dennis Erickson trickling through Mike Price, Joe Tiller of Purdue and others.

The simplest form of choice or option route is with pre-snap signals. I won't cover this in detail, but usually you split a single receiver backside (Archie Cooley used to put Jerry Rice on the backside from his five-wide-receiver/four-receiver-to-a-side sets). Based on the leverage of the flat defender and the cornerback the receiver will signal a route to a QB--shuffling his feet, a number behind his back, etc--and the QB confirms it and knows he can throw this route if he wants. Often it can be as simple as a hitch, slant, or fade choice. This is simple on the QB since he knows what the route is before the snap. See below:



More complicated are the option routes by the slot receivers. Usually you simply have the outside receivers run streak routes down the sideline, but if the safeties begin to jump the option routes you can tag the outside receivers on a post route.

Also, you can use a third receiver or the running back to control the undercoverage--either the flat or the inside linebackers.



However, primarily it all comes down to the option receiver. His rules are simple in explanation but this must be heavily practiced. Teams that run many option routes have few other routes--both because they don't need them and they have limited practice time. Timing between him and the quarterback are very key, and not easy to establish. Furthermore, Quarterbacks HAVE to look at this receiver to see what he will do, so this can draw more defenders to this receiver than on another, most simple, progression.

Nevertheless, an excellent receiver used in an option-route circumstance can be extremely potent. I personally do not believe in the R&S style where you have 3-4 receivers converting their routes on every play, but having a particular option route can be extremely effective.

Option Route Rules, 5-step:

1. Identify the man on you, first man inside, or nearest safety. This is your key.

2. Release at full speed at his outside hip--take away his leverage.
3. Identify man or zone: Is the defender looking at you or the QB? Are they bracketing you? Is he right on you?
4. If zone, push to 10 in the open grass, run a curl and sit in the open grass/zone hole. Make eye contact with the QB to find the passing window.

5. Versus man, push to 10. If he keeps his cushion run a curl and look back to QB. Look for QB's eyes--you will naturally slide to find the passing lane and this will keep you moving from the defender.
6. Versus man under, if he is tight on you: Push to 10, and try to literally step on his toes. Recognize defensive leverage, and break away. He's in? I'm out! He's out? I'm in! Stay flat, do not work upfield--this is when interceptions happen. Should not catch the ball deeper than 10 yards.


QB: You are peeking at the home-run first, then looking for the option route. Control the defenders wil your eyes--keep them fixed down the middle on your first three steps.

If you have options on both sides, key the free/weak safety. If he sits in the middle or goes weak, you work to strong (3 receiver side). If he works strong, you work weak.

Identify man or zone to anticipate the type of throw. Be prepared to slide in the pocket to find the window--do not throw this pass over defenders!

Most importantly: you are looking at the receiver, but you are throwing it away from the defenders. Pull the receiver away from the defense, he will get to the ball and this will both cut down on interceptions and will help him run after the catch.

Closing Notes

If choosing to make the option route an important part of your offense (if you want to run it right you must, just like running option football, etc) then there are many adaptations. Most commonly teams will also run the option from the 3-step drop, such as Purdue.

In this case the rules are the same, the back(s) stay in to protect, and the receiver will make his break at 6 yards. He will not come back to the football if he sits as on a curl, but instead sits and turns back to the QB, more like a hitch route.

Also, Norm Chow and Mike Leach at Texas Tech like to use running backs on option routes, such as in the following Y-Cross.



The QB peeks at the big play on the go route by X, and then looks down for the option route. In Chow's teaching, they always throw it to the option route unless two defenders play down and squeeze the runningback, and then they look for the deep cross by Y and the backside in route. The running back outside releases and does his read at 4-5 yards.

Lastly, it cannot be emphasized that extensive practice must go into this route. The QB and receivers must be on the same page. You should drill this with a cone at the break point and coaches giving the look as well as versus air and 7 on 7. Option routes are not necessary for a great pass offense--many great coaches never or hardly used them. But, they definitely can be a powerful weapon, particularly to feature an excellent receiver.

Lastly, an advanced technique by crafty receivers is to fake the sit/curl, and look at the QB, and then burst again in an in or out. Purdue's receivers are excellent at this--it becomes almost like a whip route of sorts. You'll see great option route runners start and stop all the time, but that only comes with experience and many repetitions.