Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
TE Option out of the I Form Wing 22 personnel sends the wing TE on an option route working from the flat up into a dig, giving the quarterback a built-in read against man or zone leverage. The backside X runs a deep comeback breaking back to the sideline while the outside receiver on the option side clears vertically to open up the underneath option route. The lone red arrow shows the fullback or blocker holding protection up front, keeping this a play-action-style dropback pass with the TE option route as the clear primary read and the comeback as a deep secondary outlet.
Defensive Reads
Watch the linebacker assigned to the TE at the snap since his drop angle reveals if he is sitting in zone or shadowing man coverage. If the defense shows a two-high safety shell, expect the option route to settle short since the deep comeback becomes the only vertical answer. User the closest underneath defender to the TE option route since AI defenders routinely bite on the run action and lose contain. Blitz packages that send extra pressure up the middle can beat this play if the QB does not get through his first read quickly, so time your blitz to disrupt the option read. Man coverage with a linebacker on the TE is the most exploitable matchup, so if you see this alignment, drop a spy or bracket the TE with a safety to shut down the primary read.
Usage Tips
Key the flow of the linebacker covering the TE before the snap since his depth tells you whether the option route will settle or continue upfield.
Use this on early downs out of Wing I Form to keep the defense honest against your run-heavy formation tendencies from HB Lead and HB Power O.
If you see man coverage on the TE, push the option route vertically to attack a linebacker or safety who cannot stay in phase.
Against zone shells, sit the TE option route in the soft spot between the underneath zone and the deep coverage for an easy conversion throw.
Pair this play with HB Lead Dive and HB Power O in your play-calling sequence so the defense respects the run fake and bites on the initial TE release.
