The Triple Option Offense: A Comprehensive Guide

The triple option is a dynamic and multifaceted offensive strategy in American football. This article provides a detailed exploration of the triple option, examining its core principles, various forms, and modern adaptations.

Understanding the Basics

At its heart, the triple option is a play designed to give the quarterback multiple choices for advancing the ball. The quarterback makes a decision during the play, determining whether to hand the ball to the fullback, keep it himself, or pitch it to a trailing back. This decision-making process is based on the quarterback's real-time assessment of the defensive alignment and the actions of key defenders. The triple option forces defenses to account for multiple potential ball carriers on a single play, creating opportunities for the offense to exploit defensive weaknesses.

Key Components of the Triple Option

The Quarterback (QB): The central figure in the triple option, the quarterback is responsible for reading the defense and making split-second decisions about where to direct the ball.
The Fullback (FB): Typically aligned directly behind the quarterback, the fullback is often the first option in the play, receiving a handoff on a dive play.
The Slotbacks/Halfbacks: These players line up on either side of the quarterback and serve as potential pitch options, adding another layer of complexity to the offense.
Offensive Line: The offensive line's role is crucial in creating running lanes and executing blocks to facilitate the various options.

Variations of the Triple Option

The triple option can be executed from various formations, each with its own nuances:

Wishbone Triple Option

This classic formation features three running backs aligned in a "wishbone" shape behind the quarterback. It is a power-running formation that emphasizes physicality and directness. The wishbone triple option can utilize formations like the flexbone or Maryland I.

Execution: The quarterback starts the play by faking a handoff to the fullback. The quarterback then reads the unblocked defensive lineman. If the lineman attacks the fullback, the quarterback pulls the ball from the fullback's gut and continues down the line, but if the defensive lineman goes outside to contain the play, he hands off inside to the fullback. The backside tailback will take a parallel course down the line of scrimmage keeping a three to five yard separation from the quarterback. If the defensive end comes inside toward the quarterback, he will pitch it outside to the trailing halfback. If the defensive end retains outside leverage and covers the trailing halfback closely, the quarterback will keep the ball and run upfield inside of the defensive end.

Veer Triple Option

The veer is another popular variation that typically involves two halfbacks and a tight end. The "inside veer" play is similar to the wishbone triple option, but the dive option is performed by the halfback on the side of the play, and the other halfback becomes the pitch man. The veer can be more challenging to run to the weak side (the side without the tight end) because there is no lead blocker for the pitch man.

I Formation Triple Option

The triple option can also be run out of the I formation, often referred to as the "I-veer." This variation is similar to the two-running back veer offense.

The Flexbone Formation

The flexbone formation, popularized by coach Paul Johnson, is a modern adaptation of the triple option that utilizes a quarterback, two slotbacks, a fullback, and two wide receivers. The Flexbone “flexes” these running backs out into the slot-the same slot to which NFL slot receivers go-giving the offense a higher degree of variability. Theoretically, the quarterback has an unprecedented a number of options: hand off to the fullback, pitch to either slotback, drop back and pass to either slotback, drop back and pass to one of the wide receivers, or keep the ball and run it himself. What’s more, because the formation is generally balanced, the play can go to either side.

Execution: In the flexbone triple option, most commonly a veer, a slotback is sent in motion of the direction of the play, then the quarterback is responsible for reading the "read" key to see if they attack the fullback or stay back for the quarterback. If the "read" key attacks the fullback, then the quarterback needs to read the "pitch" key to keep it or pitch it.

Army Football's Flexbone Offense

Army Football's base play out of the Flexbone is the triple-option. There are many ways to run it. Three common ways are up the Midline, outside using the Speed Option, or against the flow with the Counter. Under Head Coach Jeff Monken, Army tends to use the Midline Option the most. By contrast, Navy usually tries to get outside using variations of the Speed Option.

The Fullback Dive

The Fullback Dive is the fixing attack that sets up the rest of the offense. As such, its fundamental job is to hold the defense in place in the middle of the field. This does not mean that the Fullback Dive is not supposed to work. In fact, it’s a good thing when one’s fixing attack gets penetration. The Fullback Dive works because it happens quickly. The quarterback starts under center, takes the snap, and hands to the fullback, who is immediately behind him. The fullback starts with the ball at most two yards behind the line of scrimmage. He plunges forward, picking up whatever yardage he can. At the same time, the offensive line plunges forward, cut-blocking to try to get defensive linemen to the ground and open running lanes in the middle of the field. Oddly, the Fullback Dive is often most effective against Power 5 teams. Because Power 5 players are all trying to get into the NFL, which is a passing league, so Power 5 defense tends to be about trying to get to the quarterback. Power 5 defensive linemen are therefore trying to get up-field, hit quarterbacks, and blow up plays. This is also what gets them beat against the Fullback Dive. They’re looking at the quarterback, trying to get up-field, and then the play is in their laps and running past them.

If the defensive tackle is keyed on the fullback, or if the blocking just isn’t good, the quarterback pulls the ball, faking the hand-off. Ahmad Bradshaw’s ability to read defenses and run inside is what made him such a great quarterback at Army. Army ran versions of the Midline Option continuously with Bradshaw. The Black Knights’ final drive against San Diego State in the 2017 Armed Forces Bowl was an absolute clinic in the Midline Option. Bradshaw and the fullbacks ran right at the Aztecs’ defense, and yet the Aztecs still seemed to have no idea what was hitting them.

The Speed Option

QB Kelvin Hopkins is perhaps a little more apt to run the Speed Option than was Bradshaw. The Speed Option is conceptually uncomplicated. If the defender plays the quarterback, the quarterback pitches outside to the slotback. If the defender cheats and tries to play the pitch, or if he’s just a step too slow, the quarterback turns up-field and takes what he can get. It’s worth noting that the Flexbone allows for designed quarterback runs that don’t necessarily rely on fakes to the fullback and/or option-pitches. These straight power runs with the quarterback, i.e. Quarterback Power runs, are not at all uncommon in Army’s offense. In fact, all of the service academies-and quite a few other college teams-run Quarterback Power. But telling what’s a designed quarterback run, what’s a designed fullback run, and what’s actually a true Option play can be functionally impossible without hearing the offensive play-calls, especially from the sidelines or the broadcast television view of the game.

The Option Pitch

The third leg of the triple-option is the Option Pitch. It’s rare off the Midline because 1) Army’s blocking tends to be good, so quarterbacks usually have a lane for the Quarterback Keeper, and 2) the Midline Triple-Option pitch typically occurs deep behind the line of scrimmage, allowing for the possibility of a big negative yardage play. Coach Monken hates negative plays. However, if the quarterback reads keep and then gets a defender in his face, he can pitch straight back to the slotback off the Midline. The Midline Triple-Option is typically most useful when pressure is getting to the quarterback. Once the defensive end has committed, he’s virtually guaranteed that the slotback will get a step on the rest of the defense. Granted, that’s not always the way you’d draw it up. With all of that said, we tend to think of the Option-Pitch as coming off some version of the Speed-Option to the outside. There are many ways to set this up, but generally, the quarterback draws the defender in and then pitches laterally, hitting the slotback in stride. Because the defense has committed to the quarterback, the slotback has room to run.

The Counter-Option

The Counter-Option is mostly a tendency breaker. The quarterback fakes to the fullback, takes a step towards the play, and then reverses field, running back against (most) of the blocking action. A guard typically pulls and blocks, and the leading slotback on the counter side also blocks, but the play relies on getting most of the defense flowing away from the action because of the initial blocking.

The Rocket Sweep

The Rocket Sweep isn’t technically a play off of the triple-option. It’s a tendency breaking outside run set up by successful iterations of plays off the Midline. The Midline-Option forces the defense inside to guard against the Fullback Dive and the Quarterback Follow, so a toss to a speedy slotback running outside tends to catch defenses wrong-footed.

The Oregon Straddled Triple Option

This play, the Oregon Straddled Triple Option, is the fourth most used running play by the Ducks and has an interesting twist that most have not noticed. It is called a “Straddled” Triple Option because they are not optioning all three choices to the same side as most teams do. Thus they are attacking both sides of the LOS, and really SPREADING the defense.

Read also: Challenges of a Triple Major

Triple Option in the Spread Offense

The triple option can be integrated into a spread offense, as demonstrated by teams like Ohio State, Oregon, and Arizona. These teams have utilized an inside zone triple option from the spread, where the quarterback reads the defensive end for a "give" or "keep" decision. If the defensive end squeezes down to take the dive, the quarterback pulls the ball and takes his reading progression to the outside linebacker or defensive back.

Run-Pass Options (RPOs)

The emergence of run-pass option (RPO) plays has added another dimension to offensive football. RPOs combine running and passing elements, giving the quarterback the flexibility to choose between handing off the ball or throwing a quick pass based on the defensive alignment.

The Selfless Nature of the Triple Option

The triple option requires players to embrace a selfless mentality, prioritizing team success over individual statistics. As one coach noted, it's about moving the ball and scoring, not about personal accolades. Players must be willing to perform their specific roles, sacrifice personal glory, and work together cohesively.

Hillsdale's Effective Triple Option

At the Division III level, Hillsdale College has found considerable success with the triple option. Coach Trevor Cline emphasizes that the triple option creates numerical advantages by forcing defenses to account for multiple running threats. He also points to the challenges it poses for high school players who may lack the discipline to consistently execute their assignments against the option.

Creating Numerical Advantages

"The reason we like to run the triple option offense is because you're playing 11-on-10 each time you run the option," Cline said. "There's always one player who you're reading on defense, so you don't have to block him because based on how they respond to your running back, it will take them out of the play. Depending on what play we're running, it could be the outside linebacker, defensive end or defensive tackle. We do it to give ourselves an advantage."

Reading and Reacting

The quarterback's ability to read the defensive end or defensive tackle and react swiftly is crucial for the success of the triple option. Senior quarterback Jack Fickes emphasizes the importance of trusting his eyes and abilities to make quick decisions.

Creating Overloads

Hillsdale also incorporates run-pass options (RPOs) and spreads the field with 3-4 wide receiver sets, creating unpredictability in their offensive approach.

Supplementing the Triple Option

Army ran their traditional rushing plays under Center:

Triple option
Lead option
QB Follow
Rocket Toss
Midline
Belly Counter Option

Most are QB designed runs out of the gun with either option or lead components

Army ran their traditional rushing plays under Center:Triple optionlead optionQB FollowRocket TossMidlineBelly Counter OptionBut I wanted to take a look at their plays that accompanied these plays. Most are from the gun and some are under center. We will analyze the following 3:

Trap/wrap
QB Draw/Lead Zone/Power
Jet Read
Counter Scheme and Play Action

Trap/Wrap Schemes

The following plays are part of their trap and wrap schemes:Wrap, QB Wrap, QB Trap and wing trap Army started running some wrap this year. Most option teams ran belly but Wrap is a nice change up as it has gap scheme elements.

QB Draw and Off Tackle Lead Plays

You also saw them run some gun and under center qb draw and bring some physicality wit their lead and off tackle run game.

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