Playbooks

Escort Speed Option

Shotgun·Normal Y Off Wk·11

Diagram coming soon

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetNormal Y Off Wk

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 2 playbooks

Vikings OffenseOffense NFL Live Vikings OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Escort Speed Option is a shotgun speed option run built off the Escort blocking scheme, pairing the QB and HB on a true option look to the perimeter with pulling linemen escorting the play outside. The offense reads the edge defender: if he crashes down on the QB, pitch to the HB running parallel in the option pitch relationship, and if he sits or widens to the HB, keep it with the QB and cut upfield behind the escort blockers. This is a pure option run play (not a pass concept), so the primary read progression is simply crash or contain on the first unblocked edge defender, with the QB making that decision in real time as he approaches the line.

Defensive Reads

Watch the edge defender (DE or OLB) at the snap, since his crash or contain decision is the entire trigger for this option and dictates whether the QB keeps or pitches. Beats defenses that overcommit their edge defender to either the QB or HB, since the option naturally attacks whichever side is left uncovered. Struggles against disciplined scrape exchange technique from linebackers, where one defender takes the QB and another squeezes the pitch lane, so respect teams that consistently execute that assignment. Look for extra defenders crashing down into the box pre-snap or an overloaded front, since that numbers disadvantage kills the option before the pitch relationship can even develop. Man beater blitzes and contain rushes off the edge are the biggest threat, so if you see a user-controlled edge defender squatting patiently instead of crashing, be ready to pull it and cut upfield rather than force a pitch into a sitting defender.

Usage Tips

Run this out of shotgun on early downs (1st and 10, 2nd and short) when you want to stay balanced and keep defenses honest against your play-action shots like Mtn PA Spot or PA Slide from this same set.

Check the defensive end or OLB alignment pre-snap: if he is crashing hard on run downs or shows blitz, plan to pull the ball and pitch to the HB, if he is sitting wide or reading contain, keep the run with the QB.

Use the right stick to manually control the pitch timing so you are not baiting a user defender into jumping the option pitch, especially against squads that spam nano blitzes off the edge.

Sequence this with Escort QB Blast and Power Read from the same set to keep the defense guessing between keep, pitch, and dive looks out of the identical formation and personnel.

Avoid calling this into stacked box looks with extra defenders crashed down pre-snap, since the escort blockers will get outnumbered on the perimeter and the option has nowhere to go.