Tips on running the option

[niles08]

A few friends & I are starting a 4 star OD, and I am going with Georgia Tech because I am fascinated with the option play after watching Nebraska run it for so many years as I grew up. The problem is...I am not very good at the option run. I am okay, but I feel like there is a bunch fo room for improvement. Does anybody have any tips on running this offense better?

Thanks.

[8mileroad]

Re: Tips on running the option

Don't.

Seriously, don't. EA didn't program it right. In real life there are a set of reads for each play, and EA doesn't seem to know this.

I'll briefly explain them:
Midline Iso - QB reads the DT. If he collapses, the QB pulls it. If he doesn't, he hands off to the FB OVER THE ZERO HOLE. Unfortunately, you can't hand off over the zero hole this game, the FB just runs to the same hole that the QB would which is 1 or 2.
Triple Option - QB reads the backside DE. If he collapses, QB pulls it. If he doesn't, he hands off to the FB. The problem with this is, if you pull the ball out and start your option with your HB/WB, the DE tackles the QB half of the time which is entirely realistic. Also, the DE ends up getting blocked sometimes, too.
Veer Option - I'm not sure if this play is in the game, it might be called trap option or something, but it's basically a triple option (with the same reads) to the 3, 4, 5, or 6 hole. It doesn't work well for the same reason.

Another common issue is horrible pitch-man logic. He doesn't know the correct technique for trailing the QB, and you can't pitch it to him more than 5 or so yards downfield. Finally, it is almost impossible to run these options online due to lag. You have to make your reads extra early, before the play even develops, due to input lag.

For the non-option plays like jets, tosses, counters, and etc. good luck running those for more than 3 yards. Blocking just isn't good enough for that.

[YeOldTonk]

Re: Tips on running the option

Good luck. The option mechanics of the game do not work real well. Haven't found anyone that has been able to run the option the way it should be run. A couple of the plays can be run with success, but overall, I'm not sure you could base your offense on it with this game.

I enjoy playing Navy, but I went with a Pro style offense using alot of FB and QB runs to spread the running around. Working on a CPB to see what I can do help with the semi-option offense working.

Not to bash anything, just haven't seen anyone really run the option offense as it should be. And to me, the option offense is one of the great things about college football.

[GruffyMcGuiness]

Re: Tips on running the option

It isn't programed right in the game but I still CRUSH everyone with it. It's all about reads and setting up the PA deep ball. Just practice it for a little while and you'll be embarrassing kids.

[PowerofRed25]

Re: Tips on running the option

Unfortunately, I have to agree with the rest. Last year I made a Tom Osborne Nebraska playbook using mostly I that was nasty and worked incredible well (I used it with Clemson). I just tried remaking it for 13 and it is next to useless.

The blocking is weird between the tackles and it causes a lot of problems. Once you get outside the tackles, the option works well. The back tends to keep a better pitch relationship than years previous but everything else is hit or miss.

The I Triple option is brutal this year. If you run it to the TE side, the C-G blocks get confused and the G usually releases up field leaving the defensive tackle to blow up the FB before he gets started. And since the CPU DE stays home more often than not, that's a lot of negative plays. It gets better if you run away from the TE side, but not much. Flexbone is not much better.

If you're set on running option, do it from the Pistol or do it from Shotgun. I'm in the process of making a modernized version of Nebraska's old option offense out of Pistol/Gun sets (very similar to what we did last year) just because the under center stuff flat out doesn't work properly.

[jament]

Re: Tips on running the option

In NCAA13 the only read to make is the DE. I think they did something with DE logic to keep QBs from rolling out and getting 10 yards per play, like in prior years.

If the DE rushes, hand off to the FB or up back. There isn't any effective way to get around him and gain positive yards before the LBs or CBs come up. You can have a QB like RG3 and the DE will come off the tackle's block and sack him. It's like they warp to the edge.

If the DE drops back into a zone coverage or tries to cover the TE, you can get positive yardage on a pitch around the end, depending on what the CB is doing.

[shttymcgee]

Re: Tips on running the option

Don't.

Seriously, don't. EA didn't program it right. In real life there are a set of reads for each play, and EA doesn't seem to know this.

I'll briefly explain them:
Midline Iso - QB reads the DT. If he collapses, the QB pulls it. If he doesn't, he hands off to the FB OVER THE ZERO HOLE. Unfortunately, you can't hand off over the zero hole this game, the FB just runs to the same hole that the QB would which is 1 or 2.
Triple Option - QB reads the backside DE. If he collapses, QB pulls it. If he doesn't, he hands off to the FB. The problem with this is, if you pull the ball out and start your option with your HB/WB, the DE tackles the QB half of the time which is entirely realistic. Also, the DE ends up getting blocked sometimes, too.
Veer Option - I'm not sure if this play is in the game, it might be called trap option or something, but it's basically a triple option (with the same reads) to the 3, 4, 5, or 6 hole. It doesn't work well for the same reason.

Another common issue is horrible pitch-man logic. He doesn't know the correct technique for trailing the QB, and you can't pitch it to him more than 5 or so yards downfield. Finally, it is almost impossible to run these options online due to lag. You have to make your reads extra early, before the play even develops, due to input lag.

For the non-option plays like jets, tosses, counters, and etc. good luck running those for more than 3 yards. Blocking just isn't good enough for that.

How does a QB read the backside DE on this play. I assume you meant frontside, but...

[bccards13]

Re: Tips on running the option

Pro tip: Take the playbook, switch it to another one and forget about the option completely. Seriously just don't run it. However if you successfully do run it, we should go to Vegas sometime.

[8mileroad]

Re: Tips on running the option

How does a QB read the backside DE on this play. I assume you meant frontside, but...

Sorry, you're right.

[aspengc8]

Re: Tips on running the option

Everyone is pretty much on point here. The incorrect blocking logic along with the fact the OL likes to double team the DT really messes up the midline & FB dive, which are your WORKHORSE plays. Without those to set up the triple, speed, load & misdirection.. well.. you can't really run the offense to its FULL POTENCY.

[buickbeast]

Re: Tips on running the option

I've had decent success running zone reads and triple options out of the Shotgun and Pistol: Full House. One thing I've realized is if the D collapses at the ends, juke your QB toward the line. For example, if he's running toward the left sideline, juke him to the right. Obviously this works much better against DEs then LBs. This is most effective when I'm about 1-2 yards from a DE running downhill.
I would not recommend using the option as your main weapon this year thou, I usually use it to keep the D honest.

[nortobc]

Re: Tips on running the option

Get a fast QB and run the load option to the empty side of the field out of twin WRs set. 10 yards every time as long as you get past the OLB on that side.

[StormJH1]

Re: Tips on running the option

Get a fast QB and run the load option to the empty side of the field out of twin WRs set. 10 yards every time as long as you get past the OLB on that side.

Right, but this is an example of the type of thing I've done for years to "succeed" at NCAA, and I don't want to do that because it feels cheap and repetitive. By contrast, the passing A.I. is much better this year, so I do feel like it's an organic experience when I drop back and read the coverage. It should be the same feel when running the option.

I have Michigan and Denard Robinson. Actually, Denard isn't really a true "option" quarterback, nor is he a "scrambler". RichRod-era Denard would essentially get the ball out of the shotgun and run at the line, kind of like a read option with no actual reading going on. Brady Hoke-era Denard runs a slightly more traditional offense, with more plays under center.

The point is, I'm not exactly sure how to use Denard in this game yet. There are about a total of 3 plays in the entire "Michigan" playbook that actually involve Denard running on his own. The rest are some type of option play, but if there's any type of outside blitz, the play is wrecked. Fortunately, they made him a good enough passer (and I scramble on the perimeter if nobody's open) that he's still useful.

I think the pre-snap read is critical to the option in this game. You can basically look at the formation and tell if the option's going to be broken or not. If you see a loose formation where the blockers won't immediately line up with the lineman/linebackers, just get out of it and run a dive play or something. Especially with the read or triple option (involving a fake handoff), the QB never gets up to speed in time to get around the edge, even if it's a fast QB who should be able to do that in real life.

[JoedicyMichael]

Re: Tips on running the option

The only success Ive had with any option play is the Zone Read/Read Option. Ive studied quite a bit about the ZR/RO. I would suggest you go watch the "Fish Duck" tutorials to get some extra insight on it.

As someone stated earlier... In this game.. Its all about the DE. (With the Read Option) that is. No matter where he is.. The ball shouldn't be there. The Triple Option just blows. The blocking is sub par- and the QB/RB or whoever it may be thats your pitch man, just drags on along side you. Your better off pulling him by his face mask and making him run with you for all that matters.

I cant shed much light on the GT Offense, but i can say that PA and different formation sets will be your best friend.

It might be good to incorporate some of the offense into A Spread/Air Raid offense to stretch the defense and open up underneath running lanes. But it seems that the limited control over this game sucks the life outta having the GT Offense as a base offense/

[nortobc]

Re: Tips on running the option

Right, but this is an example of the type of thing I've done for years to "succeed" at NCAA, and I don't want to do that because it feels cheap and repetitive.

LOL...it is VERY cheap. I was just responding to the title of the thread. If you want to run the triple option, just read the DE and if the DE stands up, hand the ball to the fullback. If he tackles the FB, pull the ball run the option with your HB.