Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Triple Option out of the Pistol Full House is a true option run play built to attack the edge with a dive, quarterback keep, and pitch progression all in one design. The diagram shows the fullback taking the dive path into the line while the QB reads the play side defensive end before either keeping the ball upfield or pitching to the trailing back running the flat route as the option man. This is a run play designed to beat overaggressive fronts and gap-sound zone defenses that overcommit to the dive, forcing defenders to declare before the QB makes his read.
Defensive Reads
Watch the play side defensive end and outside linebacker pre-snap, if they are crashing hard on run downs they are vulnerable to the pitch phase once the QB pulls it. Look for user-controlled defenders spying the QB or sitting in the pitch lane, that is a sign the defense is scheming to eliminate the keep and pitch options. This play struggles against disciplined scrape exchange defenses where the end stays home on the dive and the linebacker flows to the QB while another defender leverages the pitch man. Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with fast flowing linebackers close down the edge quickly, so if you see safeties rotating down into the box before the snap expect the alley defender to blow up the option before the pitch develops. Aggressive blitz packages with edge pressure can disrupt the mesh point and force a bad read, so recognize pre-snap blitz indicators like walked up outside linebackers or safeties creeping into the tackle box.
Usage Tips
Run this from a manageable down and distance like first or second and short so the defense has to respect all three phases of the option instead of selling out on pass. Pre-snap, count the box and look for an extra defender crashing downhill, that tells you to speed up your dive read and get the ball out fast. Key the play side defensive end after the snap since he is your literal triple option read, if he crashes on the dive give it, if he sits or squeezes pull it and attack the edge. Pair this with HB Off Tackle and Counter Lead from the same set so the defense cannot key on the mesh point and has to respect multiple gap schemes out of the identical Pistol Full House look. Use Zone Read and Read Option Wk in the same drive to keep linebackers guessing on run fits, then mix in PA Boot or PA X Post off the same personnel to punish defenders who start jumping the option too hard.
