Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Triple Option Lt lines up out of Shotgun Split Slot Offset with 20 personnel and reads left, giving the QB a true triple option progression of dive, QB keep, and pitch to the trailing back. The diagram shows the QB sliding left with the dive threat crossing the formation while the pitch man trails behind on the same side, with the offensive line sealing playside gaps for the option run. This is a run play designed to attack aggressive fronts and overpursuing linebackers rather than beat man or zone coverage, so the primary read progression starts with the dive key, moves to the playside defensive end for the keep or pitch decision, and finishes with the pitch man if the end crashes down.
Defensive Reads
Watch the playside defensive end pre-snap and immediately after the snap since his crash or contain decision dictates whether the QB should keep or pitch. Look for a hard edge squeeze or a scrape exchange from the linebacker, since a disciplined scrape exchange defense is the toughest matchup for this option concept. Heavy blitzes and nano blitz packages that get a defender into the mesh point before the QB can read the end will blow this play up immediately. Base 4-3 or 3-4 fronts with linebackers reading run first are the easiest fronts to option off of, especially if the end shows first-step aggression toward the dive. If the defense shows outside contain discipline with the end sitting and squeezing while a linebacker maintains pitch responsibility, this play has almost no room to hit.
Usage Tips
Attack fronts where the defensive end or edge defender is crashing hard on the dive, since that is exactly what triggers the pitch phase of this option. Use pre-snap motion checks to confirm you are not staring down a heavy blitz look, since triple option reads get muddied against nano blitzes that collapse the mesh point before the QB can make the first read. Best called on early downs or in short yardage when defenses are in base run fronts rather than nickel or dime packages that speed up the edge defenders. Pair this with Mtn Triple Option Rt later in a series to keep defenses honest on both edges once they start keying the left side dive. Practice the pitch timing in practice mode so you are not late releasing the ball to the trailing back when the end squeezes down hard.
