Inside the Playbook: Ohio State's Speed Option Package
Originally poster at Land-Grant Holy Land on 12-5-14
Urban Meyer has developed the speed option into more than just a constraint play. Through the years, he has implemented multiple constraints that build off of the speed option threat. Against Wisconsin's 3-4 defense, the speed option can be a serious threat that isolates the OLBs away from the sealed defense. We'll look at the origins of the speed option, it's evolution, how OSU can work off of it, and why it will be so important in the 2014 B1G Championship Game against the Badgers.
The speed option is one of the simplest methods of attacking the edge with an option play. Smart Football describes it as "simple" and "inexpensive" in that both the concept and scheme are simple and it takes very little teaching and practice time to do well. This is why the speed option has crept into offenses that tend to shy away from option elements, because it's a simple enough way to attack the edge with speed.
However, the speed option is not merely a constraint play (though it can be used as such), and instead can be the basis of a group of plays. In this article we will look at the evolution of the play, the multiple methods of running the play, and the way teams -- including Urban Meyer's Ohio State -- package other concepts to set defenses up with speed option looks.
Evolution
Like many spread-to-run concepts, the origins of the speed option begin with the veer and belly series. This means they consisted of using multiple RBs. Initially, the favored method was merely to mock the FB dive with the intention to have the FB. Delaware coaching great Dave Nelson called it the 81 (89) Option.
This worked initially, but didn't really attack the edge that quickly: the QB still reverse pivoted out from under center, there was still a mock handoff to the FB, etc. So Nelson started running what he called Spread 91 (99) Option, which by many would later become known as the load option.
By the '90s, Nebraska was utilizing the speed option concepts from their I-Formation, and was the first with an arch option in the mid-to-late '90s.
Urban Meyer has developed the speed option into more than just a constraint play. Through the years, he has implemented multiple constraints that build off of the speed option threat. Against Wisconsin's 3-4 defense, the speed option can be a serious threat that isolates the OLBs away from the sealed defense. We'll look at the origins of the speed option, it's evolution, how OSU can work off of it, and why it will be so important in the 2014 B1G Championship Game against the Badgers.
The speed option is one of the simplest methods of attacking the edge with an option play. Smart Football describes it as "simple" and "inexpensive" in that both the concept and scheme are simple and it takes very little teaching and practice time to do well. This is why the speed option has crept into offenses that tend to shy away from option elements, because it's a simple enough way to attack the edge with speed.
However, the speed option is not merely a constraint play (though it can be used as such), and instead can be the basis of a group of plays. In this article we will look at the evolution of the play, the multiple methods of running the play, and the way teams -- including Urban Meyer's Ohio State -- package other concepts to set defenses up with speed option looks.
Evolution
Like many spread-to-run concepts, the origins of the speed option begin with the veer and belly series. This means they consisted of using multiple RBs. Initially, the favored method was merely to mock the FB dive with the intention to have the FB. Delaware coaching great Dave Nelson called it the 81 (89) Option.
Then with the load option in the late-90s and early-00s. The difference mostly being the QB's footwork (arch option has a reverse pivot, while load option attacks directly).
Nebraska also made the speed option popular from a single back "spread" look. This being a true speed option without a lead blocker.
By the early-to-mid-2000s, teams from KSU under Bill Snyder to Rich Rod at West Virginia were using the speed option as a constraint play and a means to attack the edge in the direction toward the RB's alignment.
And now the majority of teams probably incorporate some sort of speed option look within their playbook.
Multiplicity
One of the reasons that the speed option is great is because of the multiplicity and various means it can be run and taught. Let's start with the blocking scheme.
Blocking Scheme
Most modern teams prefer to run the speed option with a standard outside zone blocking scheme, but instead of attempting to reach the EMOL (or a different defender, which we'll discuss in a second) they block someone else, as the read defender is effectively blocked by the option.
But you don't need to run outside zone blocking. You can run a gap blocking scheme away from the play. You can run pin and pull. You can run G Sweep blocking. You can run Power O blocking. Any blocking scheme designed to go off tackle can theoretically work to run speed option.
Read Defender
Depending on the athlete you have at QB, you can choose to read the EMOL (the standard for the play), or, if the QB is a great athlete, the man outside the EMOL. That's because you can trust your OT to be able to reach and harass the defensive EMOL enough to allow the QB to get outside. This allows a slot man to block a safety, or something like that. It also forces the defense, including the EMOL, to work more laterally, allowing the QB to cut upfield and attack vertically quicker. But the speed option can still be effective with a marginal athlete under center.
Aiming Point
Most teach to attack the inside hip of the read defender, others teach the outside hip (again, credit to Nebraska). I believe it again depends on the QB. A lesser athlete at QB should attack the inside hip, as you want the read defender to have to choose between who to take. This makes the read for the QB more obvious and allows the QB to more quickly read the defender, allowing him to either cut up field or pitch the ball earlier in the play. A better athlete can force the defense to work more laterally by attacking the outside hip. This also forces the defender to declare by continuing to work laterally or up field, and therefore creates more movement. More movement is to the athletic QB's advantage, and opens up running lanes between the tackles for the athletic QB to run as the EMOL tries to get in a position to defend the option.
Speed Option Package
Urban Meyer has long used the speed option as more than just a constraint. He's used it to set up other plays to attack defenses that attempt to quickly flow to stop the quick-hitting edge attack. But being able to run the speed option successfully is integral to taking that next step in the iteration process.
I'll start first with an old favorite, but not seen as often this year: the shovel option. Urban Meyer used the shovel option extensively at Florida, often times using his extremely athletic TE as the shovel pitch man.
Usually, this is used with a Power O blocking scheme rather than the standard zone blocking scheme (this is what makes it nice about potentially running the speed option with multiple blocking schemes). But as I said, the Power O blocking scheme can be used just as well for a standard speed option, so the pulling OG isn't a tell for the play. This is a true triple option, as the QB's first read is to shovel, and then he has the option to keep or to pitch, as seen in this lengthy video.
But he also used an H-back, or a 2nd RB in the backfield to sell the speed option.
This isn't necessarily the simple read that the speed option is, so it's something that hasn't really seen the playbook in Meyer's time in Columbus, especially this year. In fact, the two times I recall it being run this year, it was a one-read shovel option that looks a bit like a sprint out pass from the QB (I don't like the design as much, as I don't think it does enough to pull the LBs out of the box quick enough).
To simplify the whole reading aspect but still use the speed option to set up something else, Meyer and OC Tom Herman began utilizing a long trap blocking scheme. By attacking outside, the QB forces the DE to gain width and depth, and by pulling the backside OG to kick out that DE, a natural, large lane develops between the tackles. This is a method of attacking between the tackles with the QB, and a play that looks like it's attacking the edge and not requiring a more complicated QB read.
Another iteration to attack the backside of the play is to run the sprint counter.
While I haven't seen OSU run this to my recollection, it is a valid play, particularly given the circumstances (more about this later). Especially when OSU motions the more speed H-receiver into the backfield, it provides more of a speed aspect to attack away from the flow of the play.
Here's San Francisco running the sprint counter under every Buckeye's future rival coach (snicker) Jim Harbaugh.
You also fake the speed option and then freeze (I hesitate to call this the freeze option, because teams like Georgia Tech call the freeze option just the opposite: they initially drop like a pass before running the speed option) to pass the ball. This can be an effective way to move the pocket but keep the QB protected inside the pocket while allowing him to threaten the whole field with his arm (unlike a sprint out, he will drop straight back and begin reading the defense). In this example, I pair the speed option fake with one of Meyer's favorite simplified passing concepts: the sail concept
Or you can run a fake speed option and run a reverse to a receiver or the slot for something akin to the sprint counter.
And of course, you can combine all of these things for the heck of it.
Conclusions
The speed option can be implemented as a constraint against teams that overload their defense and provide a simple check for a QB in given situations (number of defenders outside the EMOL is a simple read for the QB to make this check, or numbers advantage from the zero or center position). But if you want it to be more than just a constraint or a specialized check, adding to the package isn't overly difficult either. And provided the correct adjustments to scheme to adjust to your personnel, the speed option package can be very effective.
Multiplicity
One of the reasons that the speed option is great is because of the multiplicity and various means it can be run and taught. Let's start with the blocking scheme.
Blocking Scheme
Most modern teams prefer to run the speed option with a standard outside zone blocking scheme, but instead of attempting to reach the EMOL (or a different defender, which we'll discuss in a second) they block someone else, as the read defender is effectively blocked by the option.
But you don't need to run outside zone blocking. You can run a gap blocking scheme away from the play. You can run pin and pull. You can run G Sweep blocking. You can run Power O blocking. Any blocking scheme designed to go off tackle can theoretically work to run speed option.
Read Defender
Depending on the athlete you have at QB, you can choose to read the EMOL (the standard for the play), or, if the QB is a great athlete, the man outside the EMOL. That's because you can trust your OT to be able to reach and harass the defensive EMOL enough to allow the QB to get outside. This allows a slot man to block a safety, or something like that. It also forces the defense, including the EMOL, to work more laterally, allowing the QB to cut upfield and attack vertically quicker. But the speed option can still be effective with a marginal athlete under center.
Aiming Point
Most teach to attack the inside hip of the read defender, others teach the outside hip (again, credit to Nebraska). I believe it again depends on the QB. A lesser athlete at QB should attack the inside hip, as you want the read defender to have to choose between who to take. This makes the read for the QB more obvious and allows the QB to more quickly read the defender, allowing him to either cut up field or pitch the ball earlier in the play. A better athlete can force the defense to work more laterally by attacking the outside hip. This also forces the defender to declare by continuing to work laterally or up field, and therefore creates more movement. More movement is to the athletic QB's advantage, and opens up running lanes between the tackles for the athletic QB to run as the EMOL tries to get in a position to defend the option.
Speed Option Package
Urban Meyer has long used the speed option as more than just a constraint. He's used it to set up other plays to attack defenses that attempt to quickly flow to stop the quick-hitting edge attack. But being able to run the speed option successfully is integral to taking that next step in the iteration process.
Usually, this is used with a Power O blocking scheme rather than the standard zone blocking scheme (this is what makes it nice about potentially running the speed option with multiple blocking schemes). But as I said, the Power O blocking scheme can be used just as well for a standard speed option, so the pulling OG isn't a tell for the play. This is a true triple option, as the QB's first read is to shovel, and then he has the option to keep or to pitch, as seen in this lengthy video.
This isn't necessarily the simple read that the speed option is, so it's something that hasn't really seen the playbook in Meyer's time in Columbus, especially this year. In fact, the two times I recall it being run this year, it was a one-read shovel option that looks a bit like a sprint out pass from the QB (I don't like the design as much, as I don't think it does enough to pull the LBs out of the box quick enough).
To simplify the whole reading aspect but still use the speed option to set up something else, Meyer and OC Tom Herman began utilizing a long trap blocking scheme. By attacking outside, the QB forces the DE to gain width and depth, and by pulling the backside OG to kick out that DE, a natural, large lane develops between the tackles. This is a method of attacking between the tackles with the QB, and a play that looks like it's attacking the edge and not requiring a more complicated QB read.
And because I love end zone views:
And of course, you can combine all of these things for the heck of it.
Conclusions
The speed option can be implemented as a constraint against teams that overload their defense and provide a simple check for a QB in given situations (number of defenders outside the EMOL is a simple read for the QB to make this check, or numbers advantage from the zero or center position). But if you want it to be more than just a constraint or a specialized check, adding to the package isn't overly difficult either. And provided the correct adjustments to scheme to adjust to your personnel, the speed option package can be very effective.
Where is the Speed Option Fake Sail Concept Pass? You had it posted awhile back.
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