Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
TE Option out of Strong I H Close Off is a play-action-less dropback pass built around an option route from the TE aligned in-line, who reads the leverage of the flat defender or overhang and breaks in or out accordingly. The X receiver runs a deep comeback to the boundary while the Y off the ball works a corner route up the numbers, stretching the defense vertically on the same side, and the fullback stays in to check release on the option side as a safety valve. This is a man beater at its core since the TE option route lets you win against man leverage on the fly, but it also has zone answers if the underneath defender sits, since the TE will settle in the soft spot. Primary read progression starts with the TE option route, then works to the deep comeback, with the corner route as the low-percentage shot if the safety bites underneath.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth: two-high shells signal zone drops underneath that can squeeze the TE option route, while single-high or man-pressed corners open up the outside break Watch the flat or curl-hook defender at the snap since his leverage dictates the TE option break, and a hard squat on that route usually means the offense should have gone outside User the TE option route with a linebacker or nickel defender in man coverage to force a contested catch or force the QB to the deep comeback instead Blitz packages that bring the Sam or Will off the edge can beat this quickly since the FB check-release may not pick up every rusher, so watch for A-gap or edge pressure the moment the ball is snapped Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells with disciplined zone drops take away the TE option's easy conversion and force the quarterback into the low-percentage corner route read
Usage Tips
Motion the FB or check the Mike pre-snap to confirm whether you are facing man or zone before locking onto the TE option route
If you see off-man coverage on the TE, break the option route outside for an easy conversion; against inside leverage or press, break it in behind the linebackers
Use this on second or third and short to medium since the TE option is designed to win immediate separation and pick up a manageable chunk
Pair this with HB Blunt Dive and HB Stretch to sell run action pre-snap, then hit TE Option once the defense starts creeping linebackers into the box
Sequence this behind PA Slide or WR Go's so defenders respect both the run fake and the deep shots, opening up the intermediate option route
