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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
Midline Triple Lt is a run play built off midline option principles, using the I Form 21 personnel to create a true triple option look out of Pro formation. The offensive line blocks down at the point of attack while the QB reads the interior defensive lineman on the mesh point to decide between handing off to the FB on the dive or keeping to option the ball toward the HB on the pitch. This is a run play, not a play-action or RPO, and the primary read progression starts with the first key defender inside the tackle box, then extends to the alley defender for the pitch key if the QB pulls the ball.
Defensive Reads
Watch the defensive tackle alignment pre-snap, a shaded or crashing DT tells you the FB dive lane will be tight, so plan to pull and keep. Key the play side defensive end or outside linebacker after the snap, this is the primary option read for the QB, if he squeezes down take the pitch, if he sits wide hand off the dive. Identify if the defense is running a scrape exchange, where the DE crashes and a linebacker scrapes over the top to take the pitch man, this is the classic counter to midline option and can blow up the keep read. Look for user-controlled defenders flying downhill on the snap, aggressive human defenders often overpursue the dive fake, which opens the perimeter pitch lane if the QB reads it correctly. Check safety depth before the snap, a single high safety cheating toward the box signals run support that can erase the keep option, while two deep safeties usually means a lighter box and more room to operate.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs when the defense shows a base front with linebackers stacked tight to the line, since a soft edge or crashing DT opens up both the dive and the keep option.
Pre-snap, count the box defenders and check for an extra safety creeping down, if the defense loads the box with eight defenders this play struggles to create numbers advantage.
Manually control the QB after the snap so you can read the mesh point yourself instead of relying on the CPU logic, this gives you full control over dive versus keep decisions.
Pair this with HB Blast or FB Dive Fake HB earlier in a series so the defense keys FB dive action, then hit them with the keep and pitch phase of Midline Triple Lt for a big gash.
Best used on 1st and 2nd down in short yardage or normal down and distance, avoid calling it in obvious passing situations since the slow-developing option read gets negated by extra pass rushers.
