Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Speed Option is a pure option run out of Shotgun Split Slot Offset with 20 personnel, built to get the quarterback and running back working in tandem toward the edge. The diagram shows the RB motioning behind the QB and both attacking the same side, with the frontside tackle and slot receiver working to seal the perimeter while the offensive line down blocks inside. The QB reads the widest unblocked defender on the option key: pull it and keep or give it based on that defender's leverage, so there is no fixed primary read, only the option key at the point of attack.
Defensive Reads
Watch the defensive end or edge OLB's first step at the snap. If he sits and reads instead of crashing, this defender is your option key and dictates keep or pitch. Check for a defensive spy or contain defender lined up wide pre-snap, since Speed Option struggles against disciplined edge defenders trained to force the pitch and squeeze the alley. Identify if the defense is in a run blitz look with linebackers crashing downhill, which can blow up the play before the option even develops. Look for user-controlled defenders flowing hard to the play side pre-snap, a sign the human opponent is anticipating the edge run and will contain both QB and RB. Beware of scrape exchange linebacker techniques, where the second level defender swaps assignments with the edge defender to confuse the option read and force a bad pitch decision.
Usage Tips
Run this out of 20 personnel on early downs when you need to establish tempo and put stress on the edge defender before mixing in play-action shots.
Check the alignment of the defensive end or OLB to that side before the snap. If he is crashing hard down the line every time, pull the ball and keep for an easy pitch to the boundary.
Pair Speed Option with Mtn Triple Option Rt and Triple Option Lt in the same series so the defense cannot key on a single edge defender's leverage snap after snap.
Use it on second and short or first and ten to keep defenses honest, since a botched option read against a spy or contain defender can lose yardage in a hurry.
Sequence this with RPO Read Cntr or RPO Counter Read to make the backside crash defender hesitate, opening up bigger option lanes on repeat calls.
