I have an article up at FishDuck.com on developing zone scheme offensive lineman. Its an in depth article breaking down the techniques and introducing some drills that will help improve offensive line play in a zone scheme. On a cool note, the article has been linked to from ESPN. The article is referenced in the 5th bullet point down. Check out the excerpt below and be sure to click through and check out the rest of the article.
When watching the Oregon Ducks execute their high octane run game it is easy to get caught up in the playmaking ability of their skill players. Watching guys like Marcus Mariota and De’Anthony Thomas is exhilarating. What some fail to realize is the success or failure of the run game hinges on the offense’s ability to control the line of scrimmage (LOS). This portion of the field is patrolled by the big guys up front and it is their ability to execute blocking techniques and schemes that allow Thomas to rip off his electrifying, and often unbelievable, jaunts into the end zone. As such, it is vital for these players have the skills necessary to pave the way for ball carriers to display their talents…Click here for more.
There are many myths surrounding option offenses. Most are half truths at best or completely untrue.
Search Google.com for option football related content or listen to a commentator on TV and you will inevitably come across some commonly held beliefs about option offenses. Someone will probably make the claim that option offenses are gimmicky or are susceptible to turnovers. Obviously, sometimes these assertions are true, but applying them generally to a conceptual aspect of a very complex game is as ridiculous as any other stereotyping.
Below are the first five of ten commonly circulated myths surrounding option offenses and some of the reasons I believe they are busted. Thanks for stopping by and please feel free to tell us your thoughts and ideas in the comment section below. I’m always interested in hearing new perspectives on the game of football and don’t forget to sign up for regular updates from OptionFootball.net. You can do so by entering your information in the sidebar to the right or by going to my subscribe page. Remember, by signing up you will also receive a free copy of my Flexbone eBook when it’s published.
Myth #1 An Option Offense is a Run Only Offense
An option football scheme is obviously run oriented. So when people say this, my initial reaction is to wonder if they have been listening to John Madden. However, pegging option offenses as a run-only is absurd. A team’s run-pass ratio is based on philosophy and play calling. I could easily line up in a pro-set, let’s say an I-formation, and run the ball 75 times. Or I could mix it up. If I wanted to get really crazy, I could throw the ball most of the time.
It depends on offensive philosophy and game plan.
As is the case with most offenses systems, option offensive coordinators probably base play choice on what the defense is doing. If the defense is allowing the offense to run the option, they will. If they load the box, the offense will probably adjust and call some plays to loosen the defense up a bit. Kind of like other offenses right?
Note: I do see some validity to this argument. It is true that to be effective in an option offense you have to dedicate the majority of your practice time to running the option. This will certainly reduce the amount of time available to work on complicated passing schemes. This does not mean “run only.” What it means is that the offense utilizes run game concepts to set up big play potential in the passing game.
Myth #2 Option Offenses are Risky (e.g. turnovers)
In my opinion, this is a logical fallacy. It’s known as the Questionable Cause Fallacy. This fallacy establishes that just because two things exist in correlation, it is a not possible to conclude one causes the other. In short: correlation does not equal causation. In this instance, because some option football teams turn the ball over, some decide option football is the reason for the turnovers.
Again, absurdity abounds. Taking care of the football is a skill that should be developed and therefore must be addressed during practice. If you run an option offense, you will probably want to incorporate some things into your practices every day. Emphasizing key coaching points for the option quarterback (e.g. Give unless, and never pitch under duress) is important. Ball handling and security drills are a good idea too.
Myth #3 Fast, physical defenses can shut an Option Offense down
Again, John Madden probably thought this one up. It would make sense, at least to me that fast, physical defenses can shut any offense down. It is a function of execution. If you execute your scheme better than the opponent does, you will be successful. This being said, there is some compelling evidence to the contrary. Florida, with Tim Tebow, ran an option offense very successfully against SEC defenses. So did Cam Newton and Johnny Football. Most people would consider SEC defenses to be among the fastest and most physical in the country. And now we are seeing option schemes being successfully run in the NFL. Defenses don’t get any faster or more physical than those found in the National Football League.
Myth #4 Option quarterbacks have to be fast
As a coach of an option offense for the last seven years, I have a lot of personal experience that says otherwise. Some of the best option quarterbacks I have seen are those that compete and can execute the reads effectively. I would take a quarterback with average speed who makes 90% of his reads over an athlete with a 4.3 second 40-yard dash who makes 25% of his reads. Obviously a faster quarterback with high read percentages is preferable, but running an option offense doesn’t need speed, it requires execution.
The only difference speed makes is big play potential. If you choose a really fast option quarterback who misses most of his reads you will have an offense that hits occasionally on the big play but is unable to sustain drives. This will result in inconsistent scoring and a defense that is probably on the field too much. Choose a player who is slower, but makes most of his reads, and the offense will sustain drives, dominate time of possession, and score points.
Myth #5 Option Offenses are gimmicky
According to Dictionary.com, the word gimmick is typically used as a noun and has several possible definitions:
An ingenious or novel device, scheme, or stratagem, especially one designed to attract attention or increase appeal.
A concealed, usually devious aspect or feature of something,
A hidden mechanical device by which a magician works a trick or a gambler controls a game of chance
OK, so maybe option offenses are gimmicky. They are ingenious schemes designed to attract attention by gaining yardage and scoring points. Additionally, option offenses are deceptive and work to confuse defenses. So option football is a gimmick and so are play-action passes, zone blitzes, and counter plays. And so is the forward pass by the way.
Some equate running an option offense to cheating or at least consider it to be a less noble way winning games. This myth is certainly busted.
But, as is often the case with language, definitions are fluid and dynamic. Their meanings can shift depending on the context. Within the context of football, a gimmick is a word used to describe a scheme or play that is less legitimate than other schemes and is viewed in a negative light. It brings with it connotations of cheating or at least a less noble method of achieving success.
Again, absurdity abounds. Option offenses are highly technical schemes that need an in-depth understanding of various skills and techniques and are based on near perfect levels of execution. Just like other football offenses. The difference is that option football can be effective with less talented players.
Thanks for reading and if you enjoyed this article, or any others here, please share this article with others. I can’t wait for the start of the 2013 football season! Until then, Know the Option. Run the Option. Love the Option!
Option offenses are a hot topic right now. With the recent success of Pistol concepts and exciting players like Colin Kaepernick and RG III everyone is talking about it.
Of course these concepts aren’t new. Those of us who coach in an option offense and follow college football aren’t surprised We’ve been touting the effectiveness of these schemes for years. Still, it is a relatively new development in the League and as such is now reaching a critical mass with the hundreds of thousands of football fans across the country. It’s an exciting time for proponents of option offenses.
Option Offense Myths
Whenever we see a successful implementation of an option offense, there are always a legion of detractors ready to make some of the following assertions:
1. Option Offenses are a gimmick
2. Option Offenses can’t work in the NFL
3. Option Offenses are run only
4. Option Offenses won’t work against good defenses
5. Option Offenses are too risky
And so on…ad nauseum.
I will be publishing an article early next week that busts these and some of the other myths floating around about option offenses. Check back soon for this article, or better yet, subscribe for option football updates and a free eBook when it’s published.
Offensive Line coaches should check this out….
Coach Peterson recently published an eBook on developing offensive lineman. I haven’t read it yet, but his other content is fantastic so I have no doubt this will be an awesome read. Click through the following link to read about what he is offering.
