Playbooks
Speed Option Rev is a reversed speed option run out of the Wishbone Tight formation in 32 personnel, designed to attack the edge opposite the strength of the traditional option look. The QB rides the mesh point with the pitch back reversing course, forcing the edge defender to commit before the ball is pitched outside. This is a pure run play with no play-action or RPO element, and the primary read progression is the QB reading the force defender (defensive end or outside linebacker) to decide between keeping the ball upfield or pitching to the trailing back on the perimeter.
Identify the play side defensive end or OLB pre-snap, this is the primary force defender the QB reads for keep or pitch. Watch for defenses stacking the box with 7 or more defenders, this shuts down the edge speed advantage and forces negative plays. Look for a user controlled linebacker spying the QB, since a disciplined spy defeats the option read by taking away both the run and pitch lanes simultaneously. Check safety depth before the snap, a safety cheating down into the box signals run support that can beat you to the pitch point. Post-snap, track whether the defensive line squeezes hard inside, which opens the edge for the pitch, or if the edge sets the perimeter first, which means the QB should keep the ball on the reversed action.
Attack fronts with light box counts, this play thrives against 6 man boxes or defenses that have rotated a safety away from the play side. Use the reversed action to punish teams that flow hard to the initial formation strength, especially defenses that key on wishbone tendencies. Pair this with Triple Option and Power Option in the same set so defenders cannot sit on one option read, forcing user controlled linebackers to hesitate. Run this on early downs, first and second and short to medium yardage, when defenses are more likely to play base fronts instead of nickel or dime packages. If the defense shows an aggressive edge crash off the snap, pull the ball back to the QB instead of forcing the pitch, since the read is designed to counter overpursuit. Mix in FB Trap and HB Lead from this same formation to keep linebacker flow honest before dialing up the reversed option look.