Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Speed Option out of Shotgun Wing 12 personnel is a true option run play that puts the QB in a stretched pitch relationship with the HB toward the play side edge. The diagram shows the QB sprinting laterally along the line with the HB trailing on the pitch path, reading the unblocked edge defender rather than a set blocking scheme, while the rest of the offensive line down blocks inside to seal the interior. This is a run play built to attack aggressive edge defenders and unblocked force players, with the primary read being the QB's option key on the first defender outside the tackle box: give the pitch if that defender crashes the QB, keep it if he sits on the HB.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a scrape exchange technique where the edge defender crashes the QB while a linebacker replaces him on the pitch, this is the primary counter to Speed Option and forces a tough two way go. Identify if the defense is in a heavy front with extra defensive linemen, since a physical edge player who can two gap will slow the option mesh point before it develops. Key the play side outside linebacker or defensive end depth before the snap, if he is sitting wide and squared up he is reading option keys and will play assignment sound football. Post snap, track user controlled defenders flying downhill off the edge, a good user pitch read defender can blow up both the QB and HB in the backfield before the option even develops. Nickel and dime packages with faster linebackers are the biggest threat to this play, since their edge defenders close the option distance faster and reduce your pitch window.
Usage Tips
Check the defensive front pre-snap and look for a wide 9-technique or crashing edge rusher, since Speed Option is designed to make that defender wrong no matter what he does.
Use motion or a quick glance at alignment to confirm the play side has a true force defender and not a scraping linebacker who can flatten both the QB and pitch lanes.
Pair this play with Inside Zone and Read Option from the same Wing set so defenses cannot key on formation tendencies and have to respect both the interior run and the edge option threat.
Run this on early downs, first and second and short to medium yardage, where defenses are more likely to sit in base fronts instead of nickel or dime packages that speed up option reads.
If you get consistent pitch reads, hot route the backside TE into a quick drag to hold backside pursuit and slow down scrape exchange from linebackers flowing to the option side.
