Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Option out of Shotgun Tight Flex sends four receivers vertical while the HB runs an option route out of the backfield, sitting or breaking outward against underneath defenders before working upfield. The two outside receivers push straight verticals to stretch the deep coverage while the inside receiver runs a corner route to attack the seam and sideline simultaneously, creating a natural clear out for the HB option underneath. This is a man beater built to exploit linebackers and nickel defenders who struggle to stay square on the HB out of the backfield, with the primary read progression starting at the HB option route, then climbing to the corner route breaking to the boundary, and finally to the vertical shots on the backside if the defense rolls coverage away from the flat.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a linebacker or nickel defender aligned tight over the HB pre-snap, that is a strong indicator of man coverage responsibility on the option route. Post-snap, track whether that defender opens his hips to run with the HB or sits and reads the quarterback, since a sitting defender signals zone drop and the option route will not be open. Man coverage with no safety help over the middle is where this play hits hardest, especially against Cover 1 or Cover 0 blitz looks where the HB gets a favorable one-on-one matchup. Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with disciplined underneath zone defenders can shut this down if the flat and hook defenders stay patient and do not bite on the HB's initial break. Beware of a delayed blitz or a lurking defender sitting in the shallow flat, they can jump the option route if the quarterback stares it down without checking his other verticals first.
Usage Tips
Check pre-snap for man coverage indicators like a linebacker walking out to shadow the HB, since that is the trigger to key the option route as your first read.
Use motion or a quick glance at the boundary corner to confirm if the defense is playing press man or soft zone before the snap, this dictates whether the HB breaks in or out on his option route.
Hot route the backside vertical receiver into a quick out or slant if you diagnose zone coverage, since the four verticals concept is more of a man beater and can get muddy against zone drops.
Pair this play with Read Option or HB Draw earlier in a series to get linebackers keying run fits, then dial up HB Option to attack those same defenders in space on the check release.
Best used on second and medium or third and short where defenses are more likely to sit in man principles or blitz, giving the HB a clean look against a single defender.
