Tag: football

Option Football Mini Round Up…Motivation…GT to Big 10?

Three of the most notable option football teams in college football posted W’s yesterday while #2 Oregon lost, bringing its nation leading 13 game winning streak to an end.

Navy defeated Texas St. 21-10, GT was all over Duke 42-24, and Air Force knocked off Hawaii 21-7. Not a bad weekend for some of college football’s most popular option football teams.

Weekly Navy Motivational

And if you haven’t seen it yet, here is last weeks edition of the Navy Friday Night Motivational Video. I think I might start producing something like this for my teams using Hudl. I will look into doing a few practice runs in the off-season and post them.

2012 Friday Night Motivational vs Troy from Navy Football Video on Vimeo.

Georgia Tech Rumor

I read an article today indicating a rumor that the Big 10 is eyeing GT. I’m still not sure what my opinion is on all the moving around lately within conferences, however, I can see why the Big 10 is interested in new teams.

So what are your thoughts on the Oregon loss and a world with Georgia Tech in the Big 10? Should I produce a Thursday Night Motivational video in prep for a weekly run next year?

Let me know what you think in the comments and as always, feel free to sign up for updates in the form on the right or by clicking here.

Dissecting the Option Football Read

The most important aspect of option football is the read. It is the primary factor controlling whether or not your team will be successful.

I have seen option football teams with good offensive lines and solid running backs have less than average results when the quarterback struggles to make the correct read. With this in mind lets explore how a read is made. For the purposes of this article, I will be discussing the Inside Veer play out of a Flexbone set versus a 4-4 front using the “Ride and Decide” mesh method.

Continue reading Dissecting the Option Football Read

Split-T Flexibility Is Why We Have Option Football

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.

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.

Continue reading Split-T Flexibility Is Why We Have Option Football

Option Football History: Split-T Player Characteristics

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

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 ball handling 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

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.

Continue reading Option Football History: Split-T Stances

Option Football 2012!

College football camps across the country opened up this week and needless to say I’m excited. We also start fall camp at the high school level next week. Ready to do some work!

Anyway, I will be spending a lot of time watching and breaking down option football teams this fall. Be sure to check back regularly for updates.

Oregon Spring 2012