Playbooks
Speed Option out of Shotgun Wide Trips is a true option run play built around the quarterback and running back attacking the edge together. The quarterback reads the play side defensive end or outside linebacker, either keeping the ball upfield if that defender crashes down or pitching to the halfback if the defender stays home to contain the quarterback. This is a run play with zero pass concept attached, and it is designed to exploit aggressive edge defenders and light boxes created by the trips receiver alignment pulling defenders out wide.
Watch the play side defensive end or edge outside linebacker at the snap, since his crash or contain decision determines whether the quarterback keeps or pitches. Man coverage on the perimeter receivers can leave extra defenders to key the mesh point, so look for cornerbacks sitting in the backfield picture rather than staying with their receivers. Disciplined 4-3 or 3-4 defenses that spy the option with a linebacker will shut this down quickly, since that spy defender erases both the keep and pitch lanes. Watch for user-controlled defenders flying downhill from depth, since a good user read on the mesh point can blow up both option paths before the quarterback commits. Against blitz packages, count defenders in the box pre-snap and check to a different play in the set if the count is unfavorable, since Speed Option needs the numbers edge to succeed against extra rushers.
Check the defensive end or edge outside linebacker before the snap to see if he is crashing hard on run downs, since Speed Option punishes aggressive edge players who abandon their option responsibility.
Use this play on early downs or short yardage situations where the defense expects a standard run and is not disciplined in option assignments.
Pair Speed Option with Read Option in this same set so the defense cannot key on one specific mesh point look, forcing linebackers to respect both option concepts equally.
If the box is stacked with eight defenders, consider motioning or checking to HB Swing or HB Mid Draw instead, since Speed Option needs a numbers advantage on the edge to hit.
Once the defense starts crashing the edge defender to stop the quarterback keep, pull the ball and pitch consistently to make them pay, then mix back in Speed Option once they overcorrect and sit on the pitch.