Playbooks
Breakdown
^lhb1 Option is an option route concept out of Shotgun Spread with 10 personnel, built around the left halfback reading the underneath defender to break his route inside or outside based on leverage. This is a man beater at heart since the halfback's option route directly attacks off man coverage technique, though it holds up against soft zone shells if the flat defender sits too far off. The primary read progression starts with the halfback option route out of the backfield, then works to the underneath crossers and outlet routes if the linebacker or nickel defender takes away the option leverage.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense has a linebacker or nickel corner aligned over the halfback, since that assignment determines whether this play wins vs man or gets bracketed in zone. Watch for blitz packages that send extra rushers off the edge, since the option route serves as a built-in hot read and safety valve against pressure. Post-snap, key the underneath defender's first two steps, if he opens his hips to run with the halfback that confirms man coverage and the route should break away from him. Zone shells with a robber or lurk defender sitting in the shallow middle can undercut the option route if the halfback breaks inside, so read the throwing lane before committing. Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with linebackers sinking into passing lanes tend to shut this down, since the shallow throw window gets clogged by underneath zone drops.
Usage Tips
Check the pre-snap alignment of the defender over the halfback, if he is playing tight man with inside leverage, hot route the option route to break outside for an easy pitch and catch.
Use this play on third and short or second and medium when you need a quick, high percentage completion against blitz-heavy defenses that leave a linebacker isolated on your back.
If you see two high safeties and soft corners, this is a good changeup call after running Quick Slants or Bubble Slants to keep the defense guessing on quick game concepts.
Motion the halfback pre-snap if your playbook allows adjustments to confirm man versus zone before the snap, since the defender following the motion confirms man coverage.
Pair this play with HB Draw or Inside Zone in your play-calling sequence to keep defenders honest on run fits, then hit them with the option route when they start crashing downhill.
