Option Thread

[ohiorudy]

I recently started a Dynasty with Nebraska running the option. I am interested to hear any and information/tips people have regarding this offense. I have switched my playbook a couple times, but I run mostly out of I formations. Is there anyone else who runs a lot of option?

[Fluff E Bunny]

I've not had a tremendous amount of success with it, but that may be due in part to my QB, Chris Rix.

Since I tend to run more or less a power spread, I do run the speed option plays, but I don't seem to have a lot of success with the pitch. It seems like whichever defender comes up to stop the option can cover both the QB and RB no matter if I keep or pitch. Faking the pitch seems to yield fumbles for me, so I don't do it (plus I'm really uncoordinated with the controller buttons).

Most of my option success seems to come from run audibles to the opposite side of wherever the defense shows strength. The FB dive part of the option is also usually good for a couple.

I'd be interested in learning to run it better...my offense is productive (in terms of points), but not spectacular by any stretch.

[cubwin74]

I run the option often however there are Two main indicators that keep me honest.

I always audible to another play when the defense uses it's mind reading ability and overloads the side to which I was optioning. Never run an option into a defensive overload. I have the triple option set up at one of my audibles and run mostly two back sets. So basically I can audible to it at any time if the cpu is vulnerable.

I also send the split WR in motion to see if the defense is in man or zone. If the Corner follows the WR then I try to get outside by optioning the OLB or Safety whichever tries to pick up the QB. If the defense is running a zone and the CB doesn't follow the WR accross the field be sure to send him back to his original place. Also when you run the same play several times (on Heisman level) the defense will jump the pitch man. So to keep them honest I often hold down the X button (PS2) and let the FB smash straight ahead for 3 yards nearly every time.

Another important key is to NOT hit the speed burst before you pitch the ball. The defense just seems to fly to the pitch back if you use the speed burst. Let the play develop and let the guy you are optioning make a decision before you pitch. I try to let the guy get right up to my QB before I pitch therefore taking the CB/SS/OLB out of the play. The last thing to remember is that all QB's can run the option however I would be aware of the CAR stat for your QB before you turn upfield with him. I have been burned by a fumble prone QB in the option. He doesn't even have to get "big Hit" to fumble it seems. Ideally you would like above 60 spd and 60.

If you get used to running the option it can be a lethal weapon. I seldomly use the same option and same ballcarrier more than twice. Meaning I can call the same play three times but have three different ball carriers on the same play. It keeps the defense from jumping all over the QB or HB.

Oh...and one last thing to be aware of....this is really important! Be sure to take a "quick sidestep" to avoid any DL penetration. I have noticed that if a DT pushes your guard or tackle into the backfield your option could be a disaster. directly after I snap the ball (IF I am NOT giving it to the FB) I move slightly away from the O-line while running my option play. This will combat great DL players who can always get penetration even though they are blocked. Also if the play is simply blown up just take the 3 yrd loss with your QB and move to the next down. You don't have to pitch every time. If there is a defender in your backfield just take your medicine and avoid the turnover.

Sorry about the length but that is usually what I use to get Plus plays out of the option-

quick recap.

1- run wr in motion to see if man or zone d
2- use all 3 options for maximum effectiveness
3- give your QB a half step of room between him and the OL
4- dont pitch simply to pitch...use the qb for runs to keep the d honest.
5- audible out of options if the defense is loaded to your option side.
6- practice and good luck...

[Air Raid]

quick recap.

1- run wr in motion to see if man or zone d
2- use all 3 options for maximum effectiveness
3- give your QB a half step of room between him and the OL
4- dont pitch simply to pitch...use the qb for runs to keep the d honest.
5- audible out of options if the defense is loaded to your option side.
6- practice and good luck...

..Don't forget that you can "Hot Route" your running plays to the otherside if the D cheats and overloads to one side.....

...I'm a Power Spread guy so I run A LOT of Speed Option, QB Read Option, and Triple Option from the Gun, but that doesn't sound like what you are doing...(your running for the most part from the I-Formation, right?)...

...I keep the ol' I-Formation in my playbook when I can...eventhough I'm a spread guy...I still like old fashion football principles....one of the deadliest plays IMO is the speed option from the I-Formation.....here is why:

1. You can "hot route" it to go to either side...so the D has to stay honest or it will give up BIG yardage!!

2. The read is easy....if you run it to the weakside (non-TE side) you are watching the OLB...as soon as he commits to the QB pitch it!...this read is quick, but I always assume that the OLB will come up so I'm ready to pitch!!..however, if you don't read anyone taking the QB (ie: the LBs overplay to the strong side) get to the edge and turn it up field....this is one of the biggest errors people make with the option...they wait to long to get up field and stretch it out to long and let the D catch-up.....The read is the same to the strong side but you have more time to make the read and more often than not you will keep it with your QB to the strong side and turn it up field.....

Tips on option in general (Cubwin nailed most of them):

1. Don't look for the 15 yard play everytime...remember if Option is your game you want to control the clock and pound it out!!
2. lay-off the speed burst...let the option develop
3. Get good with the juke buttons because they help you turn up field if you keep it with your QB....
4. Motioning the WR to determine man or zone is a GREAT tip...if they are in man against the Speed Option...bring the WR to the otherside and run the Option to the strong side...once you clear the OLB..there will be NOBODY HOME!
5. Don't forget that you can keep the ball with the QB and follow your FB up the Middle...this play works really nice if the D forgets about the middle

For more tips read DoomsDay's "Power Advantage Offense" thread...he has a lot of great power running tips in there and he also covers several option plays....

...One last thing...I have also found that option plays where the QB "Rolls" into the play work the best...examples of these plays are the Power Option from Pro Form Normal, Power Option from Wishbone Normal and the Trips Option Ctr from the I-Formation.....

...hope that gets you started...In 2003 and for part of 2004 I ran a lot of I-Formation option with Nebraska....but that was before the superhuman DTs!!

[cubwin74]

Air Raid....I simply cannot get this to work. I know how to "hot route" wr, te, hb in passing plays and all of that. But I cannot get the running plays to change sides?? How do you get this crucial item to work. I often end up burning my running play audibles by the second half. (Meaning- I use the same audible more than 3 times and the CPU crushes the play) This happens because I cannot get the HB to change running routes? A quick breakdown is all I need. I assume it is the hot route button (obviously?) then pressing left or right on something.

Thanks a ton!

And you were right I mostly run out of I-form, Pro Set, Strong and occaisonally out of Ace Spread when I am trying to catch the D sleeping! I absolutely love it when the defense uses any formation that doubles the strong side WR. I send him in motion and usually just have to option the Safety or OLB and gain at least 15 yards.

Good point on the juke button. The most important use of this is the "half juke" or "shimmy shake" as I like to call it. If you tap the L1 or R1 your ballcarrier will simply change direction and maintain his speed and eludes defenders much more effectively than the full Juke move. The shimmy shake is deadly on slants and crossing patterns when you hit the WR in stride and have more than 5 yards before contact. I can usually shimmy the safety and mash the speed burst for BIG GAINS on nickle and dime blitzes.

Man I love this game! :)

[Air Raid]

Air Raid....I simply cannot get this to work. I know how to "hot route" wr, te, hb in passing plays and all of that. But I cannot get the running plays to change sides?? How do you get this crucial item to work. I often end up burning my running play audibles by the second half. (Meaning- I use the same audible more than 3 times and the CPU crushes the play) This happens because I cannot get the HB to change running routes? A quick breakdown is all I need. I assume it is the hot route button (obviously?) then pressing left or right on something.

Thanks a ton!

And you were right I mostly run out of I-form, Pro Set, Strong and occaisonally out of Ace Spread when I am trying to catch the D sleeping! I absolutely love it when the defense uses any formation that doubles the strong side WR. I send him in motion and usually just have to option the Safety or OLB and gain at least 15 yards.

Good point on the juke button. The most important use of this is the "half juke" or "shimmy shake" as I like to call it. If you tap the L1 or R1 your ballcarrier will simply change direction and maintain his speed and eludes defenders much more effectively than the full Juke move. The shimmy shake is deadly on slants and crossing patterns when you hit the WR in stride and have more than 5 yards before contact. I can usually shimmy the safety and mash the speed burst for BIG GAINS on nickle and dime blitzes.

Man I love this game! :)

The Hot Route:

..For my example of the Speed Option out of the I-Formation...the play is designed to go to the left.....so if you want to run it to the right...you hit TRIANGLE (hot route button) and press right...that's it!..(I will do it a couple of times to just make sure my running backs get the message, but there is no animation to it like there is with Audibles)...

...PLEASE NOTE: NOT EVERY RUNNING PLAY CAN BE HOT ROUTED TO GO THE OTHER WAY....and IF YOU HOT ROUTE A SPEED OPTION THE OTHER WAY FROM THE SG (ie: SG Spread>Speed Option) THE HB WILL NOT CHANGE SIDES...so you will have to wait a little to let him get into pitch relation with the QB (but as long as you don't smash the speed burst this shouldn't be a problem...)

..I use this technique the most with Speed Options, HB Blasts, HB dives, QB Sweeps, FB dives and some counters........

....Practice to see which plays can and can't be hot routed and it will add another element to your attack :) ...

Hope that helps!!!

[DoomsDayD1978]

I run almost exclusively option/power football. Air Raid hit the nail right on the head when he said..."do not look for the 15 yard gainers everytime out of the option"...you basic premise for running any option attack should be to wear the defense down and let the big runs take care of themselves.

To fully get the most of out of your option attack, remember that your QB is your primary runner. There are basically three types of options in this game. The speeds, triples, and powers. I primarily run the trips and powers. In just about all my triple options, whether it be counters or reverses, I look to follow my FB up the middle with the QB between the G/T gaps and on all my power options I like to use these for runs with my HBs.

Also, remember, the option is like any other type of offense in that you need to have set up plays. Plays where you run them a few times with the sole intent of setting up a potential heavy hitting money play. Ex...I run the triple option 3 times in a row out of three different formations and pound it away with the FB by keeping it with him. When I see the d-line creep in, I then bounce it outside with the same play for a big gainer.

Bottom line, the option is a patient, methodical offensive attack. Also, I can't emphasize enough taking full advantage of the ability we have now of using the right analog stick to see mismatches on the D. Make sure you fully utilize this when running your option.

[Mjphillips]

i dont know but when i switch the direction of the play using hot routes u have to wait until the qb sets at the LOS when he says "set" . then push triangle and switch sides. its BS though u should be able to do it faster

[kbell97]

My freind I just played was really afraid of me running the HB direct playside he would shift both the dline to playside. I adjusted by audible to speed option , then hot route the play to the weakside giving me big gainers. I would even call the speed option, and let him see I would call it just so he would know. After pretty much figuring I would call it , he shifted his lb's playside, and I hotrouted the play weakside. Hot routing the play to the nonplayside is a good addition to 2005. After a few times if him shifting lbs or the dline to the playside I would burn him, then he stopped shifting , so then I hit him with Deep attack.

[Fluff E Bunny]

My freind I just played was really afraid of me running the HB direct playside he would shift both the dline to playside. I adjusted by audible to speed option , then hot route the play to the weakside giving me big gainers. I would even call the speed option, and let him see I would call it just so he would know. After pretty much figuring I would call it , he shifted his lb's playside, and I hotrouted the play weakside. Hot routing the play to the nonplayside is a good addition to 2005. After a few times if him shifting lbs or the dline to the playside I would burn him, then he stopped shifting , so then I hit him with Deep attack.

Is he unaware of spreading? Not that that wouldn't then allow you to take it up the middle, but still.

Also, I take it he wasn't doing any blitzes from the outside? Those are the things that really blow speed option up for me.

[kbell97]

I just adjusted to every situation he gave me. Those were a couple of examples. He did even spread his line, I just audibled to a draw. He would blitz from one side, I hot route the speed option to the opposite side. If I see he was blitzing the safeties from the outside from his 425 I would audible to slant from the DEEP attack. My base play from the shotgun spread was READ, or DEEP ATTACK. Then I would set my audibles:

Speed Option
Direct
Draw
slants

He would show blitz and blitz, He won't show blitz and not blitz which would have been harder for me.

[Fluff E Bunny]

I just adjusted to every situation he gave me. Those were a couple of examples. He did even spread his line, I just audibled to a draw. He would blitz from one side, I hot route the speed option to the opposite side. If I see he was blitzing the safeties from the outside from his 425 I would audible to slant from the DEEP attack. My base play from the shotgun spread was READ, or DEEP ATTACK. Then I would set my audibles:

Speed Option
Direct
Draw
slants

He would show blitz and blitz, He won't show blitz and not blitz which would have been harder for me.

He should have used the blitzes out of nickle/dime/4-2-5 that have one DB blitz from the outside and one LB blitz from inside. If you get the correct side it stops the option outside and regardless of which side you stop the middle runs too. If he's like me and likes to control the blitzer, he could have utilized the playflip audible to realy screw with your head.

But, then again, it sounds like you're just the better player, so it probably wouldn't have mattered anyway :)

[kbell97]

Hey, I am not going to tell him how to play, if he can't figure it out, OH Well. :D
I could have told him some things on how to beat me, and how to beat the option. Yes , you are right Fluffy , if he would have used those plays and flipped at the line, he probably would have done a lot better. I just don't tell him anything, because he is a lot like Trojans PUrpil, even though he is still a freind. If I tell some things, he will use it against me and gloat that he knew how to do it all along even though he didn't( happened already). He never gives anyone credit, its always he played bad ( I guess every game thus far). Its hard to explain Fluffy. I can talk sports with him in general but when it comes to NCAA football 2005, he thinks he is the greatest(not!!!) Always talking trash , how is going to kick my as$, (not jokingly either). I try to play with good sportsmanship with him I won't run up the score even though he would against me. When he scores ( not much this year) he actually celebrates, I am more of a hand the ball to the ref and play the rest of the game guy.. Sorry, I will shut up now. Thats just a little bit of a perspective on him. Thanks for saying I was the better player, he will never admit to that.

[M-Dub?]

There is some good advice on this thread, but IMO, the best option formation is Ace Normal. Since it's symmetrical, your opp will have a harder time guessing which way it's going. You can motion either TE to give you an extra blocker, or if the D is in man, motion either WR to draw the CB away from the side you're running to. The Speed Option in this form works pretty well.

I prefer power & speed options. The triple just takes too long to develop, unless you're almost sure you're going to give to the FB.

[Air Raid]

There is some good advice on this thread, but IMO, the best option formation is Ace Normal. Since it's symmetrical, your opp will have a harder time guessing which way it's going. You can motion either TE to give you an extra blocker, or if the D is in man, motion either WR to draw the CB away from the side you're running to. The Speed Option in this form works pretty well.

I prefer power & speed options. The triple just takes too long to develop, unless you're almost sure you're going to give to the FB.

..Good point there!...The Ace Normal provides some of the best running advantages by having a balanced front.....both with the option like M-Dub said and with Dives and counters if the D is weak up the middle...both options plays out of this formation work well for me...