Key to Beating the Option

I played football for just under a decade and the last 2 years that I played were dedicated to learning the triple option offense.  I hated it then just like I hate it now because it is an offense relies on the defense being undisciplined and never dictates play.  When an offense is relying on mistakes by unblocked players there is a good chance that within a game the defense will figure out the scheme and eliminate their confusion.  The end result is typically negative plays for the offense.

In order to stifle the option offense a defense has to be clear on it's responsibilities and forget about personal stats.  The option requires that a defender, typically an lineman, to be unblocked.  They read this players reaction to what he sees and the QB decides to hand the ball off, run himself, or pitch the ball to his third option if he has one.  The Broncos ran this play a lot against the Kansas City Chiefs because their defensive ends were undisciplined in their run pursuits.  They would either attack the running back or flow hard down the line of scrimmage in order to take away the cutback by the running back.  Both actions are clear keep reads for the QB who is then alone off the backside of the play action without anyone to touch him until he is at least 5 yards down the field.  If the free defender plays to contain the back edge or goes for the QB then the that is a clear give read for the offense.

The goal for the defense is to have the QB give the ball to the running back every time.  This way you can are protecting yourself against having huge gains from the QB and increase your chances of keeping the run to a minimal gain.  When the QB hands the ball off the option is a regular shotgun running play.  The way to do this is to attack the QB.  The free defender has to realize that by going straight for the QB he is determining what direction the play will go in and that the QB won't be a factor in the running game.  Even if the offense adds the triple option, as the Broncos did last week, it is important to make the QB make quick decisions and to get a hit on him on every play.  The quicker the free defender gets to the QB the better the chance the play will end in favor of the defense.  The key to the triple option threat is making sure the backside linebacker or safety knows they have the pitch man so the free defender can focus on hitting the QB. 

By staying disciplined and knowing ones responsibility on defense it is easy to slow down an option offense as long as the individual battle are won.  Forget about stats and remember the fundamentals that have been taught to you since little league.  Defensive ends must keep contain on the backside of runs by gaining depth into the backfield to ensure a team doesn't run a reverse.  By doing so, you also limit the effectiveness of the option offense.