Don Faurot – OptionFootball.net

Split-T Flexibility Is Why We Have Option Football

Option Football Evolution — Don Faurot’s Split-T concepts on flexibility within his offense have evolved into modern option football. Navy Photo by Russ Walker.

In the last post we explored the ideal player characteristics identified by Don Faurot for his Split-T offense. Today we will close this series by illustrating how the flexibility of the Split-T and Faurot’s vision of implementing fast break concepts into football paved the way for more modern and complex option football schemes.

1. Line Splits
2. Quarterback Path
3. Center/QB Exchange
4. Play Sequence
5. Backfield Stance
6. Ball Handling
7. Position Requirements
8. Flexibility

Faurot opens this section of his book with the following words:

The term “flexibility” is applied to a resourceful offense, one capable of adjusting quickly to any changes made in the defense while the play is under way.

This sentence embodies the very essence of option football and clearly illustrates why his ideas evolved into the option concepts used today by the Flexbone, the Spread Option, and other Option heavy offenses.

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Option Football History: Split-T Player Characteristics

Split-T Football — While great players aren’t necessary in many of the T-Offenses, it is important for players in different positions to have certain skill sets.

In the last post we explored the stances developed by Coach Faurot for the Split-T backfield. We will continue to explore the mechanical aspects Faurot named as being important to the success of his scheme. Today we will discuss positional requirements for the Split-T.

1. Line Splits
2. Quarterback Path
3. Center/QB Exchange
4. Play Sequence
5. Backfield Stance
6. Ball Handling
7. Position Requirements
8. Flexibility

As previously stated, the Split-T does not need exceptional players at each position to be successful. That being said, there are a few desirable characteristics that will help to make the offense more effective.

Continue reading Option Football History: Split-T Player Characteristics

Option Football History: Split-T Ball Handling

1. Line Splits
2. Quarterback Path
3. Center/QB Exchange
4. Play Sequence
5. Backfield Stance
6. Ball Handling
7. Position Requirements
8. Flexibility

Within the context of the Split-T, Faurot taught techniques that varied greatly from other “T” offenses. The most notable difference being the quarterbacks use of the pitch while moving laterally down the line of scrimmage. Faurot taught the quarterback to make a two-handed pitch that is easy to catch for the pitch back. He also taught specific techniques for the handoff.

Continue reading Option Football History: Split-T Ball Handling

Option Football History: Split-T Stances

In the last post we explored the play sequence developed by Coach Faurot for the Split-T. We discussed how his concepts and ideas were integral to option football development. We will continue to explore the mechanical aspects Faurot named as being important to the success of his scheme. Today we will discuss the backfield players stance’s and alignment.

1. Line Splits
2. Quarterback Path
3. Center/QB Exchange
4. Play Sequence
5. Backfield Stance
6. Ball Handling
7. Position Requirements
8. Flexibility

Faurot believed in putting his backfield players in a three-point stance to eliminate motion penalties while still giving them quickness on the snap count. He accomplished this by emulating the start position of track and field athletes. The primary difference is width of the feet and the placement of the off arm on the thigh.

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Option Football History: The Split-T Play Sequence

In the last post we explored the center/quarterback exchange in the Split-T and discussed how this was manipulated to help the quarterback get to his path more quickly. We will continue to explore the mechanical aspects Faurot named as being important to the success of his scheme. Today we will discuss play sequence.

Faurot’s play sequence is the beginning of option football as we know it. It was his insights that led directly to the concept of leaving defenders unblocked and forcing a 2 on 1 situation where whatever choice they made was wrong. Lets explore how Faurot explained his new ideas.

Continue reading Option Football History: The Split-T Play Sequence

Option Football History: The Split-T Center/QB Exchange

In the last post we explored the quarterbacks path in the Split-T and discussed how this helped to make the offense more effective. We will continue to explore the mechanical aspects Faurot named as being important to the success of his scheme. Today we will discuss how Faurot taught the Center/QB Exchange .

Continue reading Option Football History: The Split-T Center/QB Exchange

Option Football History: The Split-T’s Innovative Quarterback Path

In and earlier post we discussed the line splits used against different fronts within Don Faurot’s Split-T offense. As stated before, Faurot identified nine mechanical aspects of his offense that he felt separated the Split-T from other systems.

In today’s post, we will discuss the quarterbacks path.

Option Football History: Line Splits in the Split-T

In the last post we looked at reasons to run the Split-T. If we take a close look at these reasons we see they are really just the results of the offense. If the Split-T was only successful with great players, or wasn’t successful at all, there would be no inherent reason to stay with the system.

So the pertinent question is why?

Continue reading Option Football History: Line Splits in the Split-T