Playbooks
Speed Option out of Shotgun Duo Offset is a true option run play built to attack the edge with a pitch read for the QB and HB. The QB reads the flow of the play side defensive end or OLB, either keeping the ball upfield or pitching to the HB running the option track behind him, while the offensive line executes zone steps to seal the interior and get hats on linebackers flowing to the play side. This is a run play, not a pass concept, and the primary read progression is the QB reading the edge defender first (keep or pitch) before working through the alley defender if he keeps the ball himself.
Watch the play side defensive end or OLB pre-snap, if he is aligned wide and squatting on the option keep him honest by threatening the QB run first. Key the alley defender, usually a safety or slot corner, since he determines whether the pitch or the QB keep has room once the edge is turned. Against a scrape exchange where the linebacker replaces the crashing end, the QB must pitch immediately or risk getting hit in the backfield. Man coverage shells with off corners tend to leave extra run support numbers light in the box, making this an efficient run beater against man look defenses. Disciplined defenses that assign a dedicated QB spy or contain defender on the edge will shut this down, so avoid the play if you see a spy alignment or a defender lined up specifically outside the tackle box crashing under control.
Call this on early downs or in short yardage when defenses are sitting in base fronts, since light boxes with fewer than six defenders in the box are ideal for the option track to hit.
Check the defensive end or edge OLB alignment pre-snap, if he is crashing hard down the line on tape tendencies, plan to pitch quickly rather than let the QB try to break contain.
Use manual pitch timing in practice mode so you are not forced into a scripted pitch, holding the ball too long against a disciplined edge defender kills this play.
Pair Speed Option with Inside Zone and HB Punch from the same Duo Offset set to keep defenders honest on both interior and perimeter run fits, then hit RPO Alert Bubble or RPO Alert Slant once the defense starts cheating linebackers outside.
Avoid calling this into heavy blitz looks with extra defenders stacked on the edge, since the pitch lane collapses fast against overload pressure.