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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
Mtn Speed Option is a motion-based speed option run out of Shotgun Split Offset with 20 personnel. Pre-snap motion brings a receiver into the backfield or across the formation to create a numbers advantage on the edge, then the QB reads the play side defensive end on the option pitch. This is a run play designed to attack the perimeter with speed, and the primary read progression is the QB keying the unblocked EDGE defender: keep it inside if he crashes down on the QB, or pitch it outside to the trailing back if he sits and takes away the QB run.
Defensive Reads
Watch the play side defensive end before the snap, if he is lined up wide with outside leverage he is likely reading the option and will squeeze the pitch lane. Check safety depth and alignment, a safety rotating down into the box pre-snap signals run support and a possible force defender added to the edge. Post-snap, track the play side linebacker's flow, if he scrapes hard to the sideline immediately he is filling the pitch lane and the QB should keep it inside. User-controlled defenders spying the QB or shooting the mesh point gap can blow this play up quickly, so identify if the defense is sending a delayed blitz off the edge before committing to the option read. This play struggles against disciplined scrape exchange defenses and aggressive edge crash fronts designed to eliminate cutback lanes, but it beats defenses that overpursue with linebackers flowing hard to one gap.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to identify man versus zone before the snap, if the defender follows the motion man across the formation you are facing man coverage and the alignment shift can also tip run blitz intentions.
Attack defenses that stack the box with light perimeter numbers, since the speed option is designed to get outside contain defenders and stress the edge with speed in space.
Pair this play with Mtn Triple Option Rt, Triple Option Lt, and Triple Option Rt in the same set to keep the defense guessing on which option scheme is coming, forcing linebackers to hesitate on their run fits.
Run this on early downs (first and ten, second and short) when defenses are more likely to play base fronts instead of nickel or dime packages that add extra speed to the edge.
If the defensive end is crashing hard on the mesh every snap, pull the ball and cut upfield immediately instead of forcing the pitch, since disciplined EDGE defenders will bait the QB into a bad pitch read.
