Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Read Option out of Pistol Y Trips lines up with the QB in pistol alignment, the HB offset to the read side, and a trips WR bunch to one side with a single receiver split out weak. The diagram shows a zone run blocking scheme with the offensive line stepping in unison to the play side while the QB reads the edge defender to decide between handing off or pulling and attacking the alley himself. This is a run play with a built in QB keep option, not a play-action or dropback pass, so the primary read progression starts and ends with that edge defender: crash inside means QB pulls it, stay wide or sit means hand off to the HB.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is in a run heavy front like 4-3 Under or a nickel sub package, the latter often has a lighter edge defender who is easier to read and beat with the QB keep. Key the play side defensive end or edge rusher immediately at the snap, if he sits and reads he takes away the pull option and forces the give to the HB into a stacked box. Watch for a user controlled defender spying the QB, this is the biggest counter to Read Option since it removes the keep threat regardless of the assigned read. Look for linebackers crashing downhill too fast on run action, this creates cutback lanes for the HB if the edge read forces a handoff. Man coverage on the outside with no extra run support in the box is where this play shines, but stacked boxes with an extra safety in the alley shut it down quickly.
Usage Tips
Check the box count pre-snap and only run this into light boxes with six or fewer defenders in the tackle box since Trips pulls a defender out wide for coverage.
Watch the play side defensive end or OLB before the snap, if he is crashing hard on run downs he is more likely to give up the QB keep lane after the snap.
Use this on early downs (1st and 2nd, 2-6 yards to go) to stay ahead of the sticks and keep defenses honest against your pass heavy Trips concepts.
Pair this with Y Stick or WR Screen out of the same Y Trips set so the defense has to respect both the run fit and the quick passing game from identical formation, forcing false pre-snap reads.
If the defense sells out to stop the edge read, sequence into HB Dive or Strong Power from other Pistol sets to attack the interior while linebackers are flowing wide.
