Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Orbit Triple Option out of Pistol U Off Trips is a true option run play built on the classic dive, QB keep, and pitch progression. The diagram shows a jet motion man orbiting across the backfield pre-snap while the offensive line down blocks to the play side, setting up a mesh point between the QB and the dive back at the mesh point marked by the yellow arrow. This is not a pass concept at all, it is a pure option run scheme designed to stress edge defenders and force a leverage decision on unblocked defenders.
Defensive Reads
Watch the play side defensive end and outside linebacker before the snap, since their leverage on the mesh point determines whether the QB should give, keep, or pitch. This play beats defenses that overcommit to stopping outside zone or jet sweep concepts, since the dive phase punishes linebackers who flow too far outside. User-controlled defenders who key the QB's eyes and sit on the pitch phase can blow up the entire option, so disciplined edge players are the biggest counter to this scheme. Look for safeties cheating down into the box pre-snap, which signals a run blitz or crashing edge defenders that can outnumber the blocking scheme. Zone drops from linebackers into short areas will not affect this play much since it is a designed run, but a fast flowing linebacker with no gap discipline is the key indicator this play will hit big.
Usage Tips
Use the orbit motion to identify if the defense is playing assignment football or trying to key the ball, since a defender who flows hard with the motion man opens up the dive read inside.
Run this on early downs in the second and third quarter to establish tendencies before dialing up Jet Lead Read Option or Read Option later for a completely different look off similar action.
If the defensive end sits and reads the mesh point without committing, pull the ball and attack the edge with the pitch phase rather than forcing the dive.
Pair this with Jet Touch Pass or Jet PA Boot in your play-calling sequence to keep defenses guessing on whether the jet action is a run action or a pass fake.
Avoid calling this into heavy blitz looks with extra defenders crashing the box pre-snap, since the dive lane collapses fast and you need clean space for the option to develop.
