Playbooks
Midline Triple is a true option run built off the Flexbone's inside veer blocking scheme, giving the QB a three way decision every snap. The playside guard down blocks or reads the first threat inside the tackle box while the fullback attacks the A gap, the QB reads the dive key first before pulling to attack the mesh point with the pitch key on the perimeter. This is a run play with no pass option attached, and the primary read progression is dive key (defensive tackle or first down lineman inside the guard) to pitch key (the alley defender or force player outside the tackle) determining whether the ball stays with the fullback, gets pulled by the QB, or gets pitched to the trailing halfback.
Watch pre-snap for the defensive tackle's alignment inside the guard, since a heads up or shaded 3 technique tells you which way the dive read will likely go. Check linebacker depth at the snap, if the mike or backer is sitting tight to the line without flowing hard, they are keying the dive and will blow up the fullback before the QB can pull. Identify the force defender on the pitch side, usually a corner or safety rolled down, because if that player squeezes hard and fast the QB should keep the ball rather than pitch outside. Man beater or zone beater does not apply here since this is a run concept, but zone shells with safeties sitting deep and light in the box are prime for this play since it exploits numbers advantage at the point of attack. Beware user controlled defenders spying the mesh point or crashing the A gap immediately after the snap, since that is the clearest sign the defense is selling out to stop the dive and daring you to pull and pitch.
Run this out of a tight formation against base fronts where the defensive tackle is aligned in a position that makes the dive key easy to read, since a shaded or slanting DT will speed up your decision. Use the left or right stick to manually control the QB's option read if you do not trust the CPU logic on give versus pull, especially against aggressive user controlled linebackers crashing the mesh. Pair this with Inside Veer Triple Opt and Load Option in the same series so the defense cannot key on one blocking scheme, forcing them to respect both the midline dive path and the wider veer track. Best called on early downs (first and ten or second and short) when you want to stay ahead of the chains and set up play-action shots later with PA FB Dive or PA HB Dive. If the defense starts crowding the box with extra defenders after seeing success on the ground, switch to Flood or X Dig to attack vacated coverage.