Football 101 Lesson 1: The Option and its variants

Thank you to VP of Dior for providing the first specific inquiry for Football 101. Don't worry, dc princess, I haven't forgotten about you.

The Option:
Most often featured in college offenses, specifically with mobile quarterbacks who are able to swiftly move with the football, the option gives the quarterback (QB) - after recieving the snap from center - the option to keep the ball himself or pitch the ball to the running back (RB).

Your common option play (let's say to the right, for the sake of conversation) involves the quarterback recieving the snap under center and running to the right parallel to the line of scrimmage. After the snap, his running back, typically a few yards behind the QB, runs with or slightly in front of the QB, maintaining his distance but at a safe pitching length. Eventually the QB reaches the point where he must make a decision:

a) keep the ball and turn it up the field and gain positive yards or
b) if the RB is in a better position to gain yardage, pitch the ball to him.

The option is effective because it forces the defenders to worry about two players possibly advancing with the football. It becomes even more effective when misdirection is used - leading me to...

Triple Option:
The triple option is a variant of the option. If the option gives the QB 2 options, the triple option gives him 3. The triple option normally is run out of the "I formation" - a formation where two running backs line up behind the quarterback in a straight line - forming an I. At the start of the typical triple option play, the QB can:

a) turn around and give the ball to the fullback (FB, running back closest to the QB in the I) who runs up the middle
b) fake to the fullback (who runs up the middle as if he had the ball), then turn and run parallel to the line of scrimmage and either run himself or...
c) pitch to the other running back, as in the regular option

The QB generally must look over the defense and decide before the snap whether to give the ball to the fullback, since doing so involves turning his back on the line of scrimmage. This play is effective because it makes the defense hesitate before pursuing to the outside as the threat of the FB running up the middle tends to hold them momentarily in place.

Option Pass:
The option pass unfolds like a regular option play. QB runs along the line of scrimmage and can run the ball himself, pitch to the RB, or see that his wide recievers (WR) are open and drop back and throw the football. This play is most effective when a team runs the option often and the defense begins to overreact to it. It is designed to get the defense to pursue towards the line of scrimmage and the football, only to have the QB stop and throw the ball deep to a WR who is normally open.

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There you have it. The I-66 explanation of the option. Hopefully it's not too confusing. If you need any clarification or have any other questions, you know what to do.