Playbooks
Triple Option out of Tight Wishbone is a true option run built around a three way read for the quarterback: the dive to the fullback, the keep with the halfback pitch, or the quarterback keeping it himself off the edge. The line blocks down and lets the edge defenders and force players go unblocked so the QB can read them in real time, which makes this a run play, not an RPO or play-action design. The primary read progression starts with the first threat off the line for the dive, then extends to the pitch key defender for the keep or pitch decision.
Watch the defensive end or edge player closest to the fullback dive lane, if he sits and reads instead of crashing he is likely the designated dive key and will blow up the fullback. Check linebacker depth before the snap, linebackers sitting at five yards or deeper are reading run fits and will fly downhill fast once they diagnose the dive, forcing an early pitch read. Look for the pitch key defender (usually the widest defender or a cornerback rotating down) staying square and shuffling outside, this shows he is spying the quarterback and pitch phase rather than committing. Heavy blitz packages with numbers overloaded to one side crush this play since the unblocked read defenders get replaced by extra rushers with no true option responsibility. Man coverage on the perimeter with no extra flow support in the box is where this play is most explosive since the pitch phase can outrun outside defenders to the edge.
Use pre-snap motion checks to confirm you are not facing a heavy inside blitz look since the dive read gets swallowed quickly against stacked fronts.
Identify the defensive end or outside linebacker assigned as the first read before the snap, if he is crashing hard down the line every time you will want to pull and attack the pitch key instead.
Manually control the quarterback after the snap so you can freelance the dive, keep, or pitch decision instead of relying on the CPU logic, this is the single biggest skill gap play in Wishbone Tight.
Pair Triple Option with Power Option and Speed Option Rev in the same drive to keep the defense guessing on which option phase you will attack, this forces linebackers to hesitate on their fits.
Best used on early downs (first and ten, second and short) when defenses are not yet keyed into option run funneling with extra defenders in the box.