Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Speed Option is a Shotgun run play out of the Trips TE formation with 11 personnel, designed to attack the edge with a true option look between the QB and HB. The diagram shows the HB aligned next to the QB with a lateral option path, giving the QB a pitch key while the offensive line and TE work zone blocking to the play side to seal the edge. This is a run play, not a play-action or RPO, and the primary read progression is the QB reading the first unblocked defender off the edge to decide between keeping the ball or pitching to the HB on the option path.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check the defensive end or edge defender alignment and depth since a wide, sped-up edge rusher is the biggest indicator this play will hit for a big gain. Watch linebacker depth at the snap: shallow linebackers who crash downhill immediately open up the pitch lane to the HB, while patient linebackers who stay square can string the option out for a loss. Identify the force defender, usually a safety or corner rotating down, because a disciplined force player who stays outside contain is the key to shutting this play down entirely. If the defense shows an overload blitz or extra edge defender pre-snap, expect the option to be defended by numbers and consider adjusting protection or checking to a different play in the set. Post-snap, watch for a user-controlled defender flying downhill unblocked, since that is the classic sign the CPU or opponent is selling out to stop the option and the QB should immediately look to pitch or cut it back inside.
Usage Tips
Run this out of Shotgun Trips TE on early downs when the defense shows a light box or the defensive end is crashing hard, since the speed option punishes aggressive edge defenders. Use pre-snap motion or a hard count to bait linebackers into flowing early and confirm whether the defense is playing assignment-sound option football or reacting late. Pair Speed Option with Inside Zone and QB Zone from the same set so the defense has to respect both interior gaps and the edge, making the option look even more dangerous on second reps. If the defensive end sits and reads instead of attacking, pull it down as the QB and get skinny for extra yardage rather than forcing the pitch into a leverage disadvantage. Best used on second and short or first and ten to keep the defense honest, and mix in Read Option and Read Option Dummy afterward since they share a similar look but different keys, keeping the defense guessing.
