Attacking Defenses With Triple Option Complementary Plays and Play Action Passes From Multiple Formations

Attacking Defenses with Triple
Option Complementary Plays and

Play Action Passes from Multiple
Formations
Ken James
Northwood High School
kenjames@northwood.k12.oh.us
Triple Option Complementary Running
Plays: General Principles
If Defenses are chasing down the option or
blitzing toward motion, you must have a sound
running play or plays to hit them in the opposite
Direction. For us they are the Fullback Trap,
Slotback or Halfback Counter, and the Counter
Option. All three plays hit away from the
Quarterback’s and Fullback’s initial movement,
and they also hit away from any motion that
might be used.
FB Trap
Slotback Counter:
Counter Option
In all of our game planning, we try to
have answers for anything the defense
can throw at us. This way, we don’t panic
if something unexpected occurs.
Here is an example of one of our
answers;
Belly:
◦ We developed this play as an answer to
defenses that were trying to crash linemen on
the dive back and scrape LBs or safeties off on
the QB. Again, it can be run from multiple
formations and gives us a power off tackle
I Formation
Wishbone
Shotgun
Play Action Passing: General Principles
Be concerned with efficiency above all
else. The objective is to possess the ball
and then score. Style points don’t show
up on the scoreboard
Consider protection first
Find a big play guy to put at SE (maybe a
small, quick backup RB). If the defense
has to get the safeties involved in the run
game, your fast guy will get one on one
coverage
Use west coast or run and shoot
principles:
◦ Vs. zone-expand the umbrella and settle down
in open areas
◦ Vs. man-keep moving
◦ Make sure that two receivers are never in the
same area unless they are crossing vs. man
coverage.
◦ Always attack the defender’s technique
Teach QB and Receivers to identify and
understand coverage. If they know what
route adjustments need to be made, the
ball can be delivered sooner. This makes
protection less of an issue.
Example: Verticals vs. man coverage
Protection
FSG to BST will block backside gap. This
puts them in an advantageous position.
FST – base blocks vs. odd front, blocks
backside gap vs. even front
◦ Example:
Dive back will fill frontside A or B
Pitch man will block DE
 Blocking sets up for QB draw if everyone is covered.

It also is similar to our dropback protection from our
off-tackle play. This creates simplicity and allows for
better execution. It also prevents the defense from
getting a good read on the play.
From the wishbone, the FSH can block
the DE. This will look like your load
blocking scheme and allow the pitch man
to run a route to influence the CB or SS.
Base Patterns:
◦ Typically two-man combination routes.
◦ Use a variety of formations to get receivers
into position.
Verticals:
◦ IS – Read route (reads FS) – hitch, post, fly,
(Fly – vs. man)
◦ OS – Fly, unless CB bails hard. If you can’t get
even with him, turn it into a 12-yard out.
Examples:
BS WR – runs a flash route unless given a
route. QB has license to throw to him if the
DB is off and there is no WS flat defender.
Since he is behind the LOS, OL can block the
LBs. This really looks like a running play, so
the Defense cannot get a read on it.
Post Wheel
◦ Used vs. 2 deep – It looks like the blocking
scheme.
◦ It’s important that the FSH attacks the

downfield shoulder of CB to get deep. If CB
bails, hook up.
Weakside Routes
◦ Typically need to get one on one (Flash) or take
advantage of an overactive safety.
◦ Example: Post
FS receivers run fly patterns to occupy deep

◦ Example: Post Seam
◦ Versus man coverage, we run bunch routes in
order to rub off defenders.
◦ Example: Slant Seam
Bootleg Pass Action
◦ Protection:
◦ BST, Center, FSG block playside gap.
◦ FST blocks second lineman from the end.
◦ BSG blocks the end man on the line of
scrimmage.
◦ Dive back fills for the BSG.
I Formation
Wishbone
Shotgun
Bootleg Routes
◦ These are basically the same as a wing-T
waggle play, but different people may be
running the routes from different locations.
◦ We are trying to create vertical stretch, so we
have someone deep and someone
underneath.
I Formation
Wishbone
Shotgun
Waggle Pass Action
◦ Protection:
 BST, BSG, and Center block playside gap.
 FST blocks second lineman from the end.
 FSG blocks the end man on the line of scrimmage.
 Dive back fills for the FSG. If no defender shows, he
will run a flat route at 5 yds

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Attacking Defenses with Triple

Option Complementary Plays and

 Blocking sets up for QB draw if everyone is covered.

◦ It’s important that the FSH attacks the

FS receivers run fly patterns to occupy deep

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