Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Speed Option out of Shotgun Split Twins Offset is a 21 personnel run play built to attack the edge with the QB and HB working in tandem. The diagram shows the QB and HB both flowing to the offense's left, with the offensive line sliding protection to that side while the QB reads the flow of the widest defender before deciding to pitch or keep. There are no route concepts drawn since this is a run play, and it functions as a horizontal stretch run rather than a man or zone beater in the passing sense. The primary read progression is simple: attack the edge defender and pitch to the HB if he crashes down, or keep it yourself if he stays wide.
Defensive Reads
Watch the alignment of the defensive end or outside linebacker on the play side before the snap, since he is the key that determines the option read. If the defense shows a heavy box with extra defenders crashing downhill, expect the QB to pull and bounce outside rather than pitch. User controlled defenders who sit on the pitch relationship and refuse to commit will shut this play down, so mix in Inside Zone Lt to punish that discipline. Scrape exchange linebackers and disciplined edge players who stay square and force a decision late are the toughest defenders to option against. Overpursuing edge defenders or defensive ends who crash inside on shotgun run action are exactly what this play is designed to exploit.
Usage Tips
Use this play when you have a mobile QB who can actually threaten the edge, since a statue QB kills the option read entirely.
Check the box count pre snap and look for an unblocked edge defender to option off of before the snap.
Run this on early downs in normal run support fronts to keep defenses honest and set up your play-action shots later in the drive.
Pair this with Triple Option Lt and Inside Zone Lt from the same set so defenses cannot key on one specific option look based on formation.
Against aggressive edge defenders who crash hard on the mesh point, pull the ball and keep it yourself for an explosive gain around the corner.
