Playbooks

^lhb1 Option

Shotgun·Spread·10
Option RoutePass PlayDigOutStreak

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

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Breakdown

^lhb1 Option out of Shotgun Spread 10 personnel is an option route concept built around the left halfback, giving the ball carrier the freedom to break his route based on the leverage of the nearest defender. This is a man beater at its core since the option route reads the defender's hip and cuts away from coverage, but it also holds up against zone thanks to the natural rub and spacing created by the other three receivers occupying the intermediate and deep levels. The primary read progression starts with the LHB option route out of the backfield, then works to the underneath crossers before finally checking the deep shots if the defense sells out on the shorter throws.

Defensive Reads

Check the depth of the flat defender pre-snap, since a linebacker sitting shallow signals he is keying the LHB and will jump the option route immediately Watch for a user controlled defender lurking in the shallow zone, as this is the biggest threat to the LHB option route and can bait you into a costly turnover Identify press man coverage on the LHB pre-snap, since press alignment forces a hard release that can be jammed and disrupt your first read entirely Cover 3 with a hard flat defender crashing downhill shuts this play down quickly, so be ready to check the ball down to the crossers instead of forcing the option route Cover 2 shells with the corner sitting on any underneath breaking route will bait you into throwing the option route into a trap, so read the corner's depth before committing

Usage Tips

Motion the LHB before the snap to get a free access read on whether the defense is playing man or zone based on how the defense reacts to the shift

Use this play on third and short or third and medium since the option route naturally settles into open grass against zone and creates immediate separation against man coverage

If you see man coverage on the LHB with no underneath help, hot route him to break outside for a quick pitch and catch, since most user defenders overplay the inside cut

Pair this play with HB Middle Screen or HB Swing earlier in a series so the defense starts keying on the LHB out of the backfield, then hit them with the option route once they start jumping the flat

Against zone heavy opponents, snap the ball quickly to catch linebackers still reading their drop keys, since the option route settles right in the window vacated by flowing zone defenders

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