Five Triple Option Emphasis Points and Trends for 2014

July 29, 2014

1. The evolution of Midline Triple Option.  This is the way to run Triple Option to the 3-technique, constrain the Will Linebacker, and constrain the Action Key.  Midline Triple Option can be utilized as the default when a 3-technique aligns to the playside on Triple and as a call to constrain the Will/Action Key.

Running Midline Triple to the Shade.
PR- Deep Defender
PA- Twirl 3 to 4
PT- Veer to 3 (Tiger call)
PG- Veer to Scoop
C/BG- Ace
BT- Scoop
BA- Pitch
BR- Cutoff
Q- Mid 1, Pitch 2
B- Mid Path

Midline Triple versus 50 with 4i
PR- Deep Defender
PA- Twirl 3, 4
PT- Veer to Tiger (vs. 4)
PG- Veer to Down (vs. 0/1)
C/BG- Ace
BT- Scoop
BA- Pitch
BR- Cutoff
Q- Mid 1, Pitch 2
B- Mid Path

When the Tiger Call is Utilized: Midline Triple versus 4-3
PR- Deep Defender
PA- Twirl 3-4
PT- Veer to Tiger (vs. 4)
PG- Veer to Scoop (vs. 0/1)
C/BG- Ace
BT- Scoop
BA- Pitch
BR- Cutoff
Q- Mid 1, Pitch 2
B- Mid Path

2. Controlling blood and easy stunts with Rocket Toss.  If #1 takes the dive, the offense has them outnumbered on the perimeter.

Rocket Tossing the Ball Away From the Blood Stunt.
PR- Deep Defender
PA, PT, PG- Arc
C, BG, BT- Scoop
BA- Rocket
BR- Cutoff
Q- Rocket Steps
B- Veer Away Path

Rocket Toss versus the Easy Stunt.

3. Utilizing Follow to dominate the Squeeze/Scrape.  Instead of utilizing Zone Dive, the B-Back serves as the lead blocker just in case the Mike does not run over the top when Follow is called.

Follow v. 4-3

Follow v Okie Dog Pinch.
PR- Deep Defender
PA- 3
PT- Base
PG- Base to Ace (v. 1/2i/2)
C- Veer to Ace (v. 1/2i/2)
BG/BT- Scoop
BA- Pitch
BR- Cutoff
Q- Follow Steps
B- Veer Path

4. Throwing the ball to the Backside Receiver off Rocket.  High School Defenses overplay the Rocket.  Here’s how you can make them pay for their immediate pursuit to the Rocket motion.

Isolating the Backside Receiver with Rocket Pass Backside Vert.
PR- Vert-Skinny
PA- Vert-Wheel
OL- Slide To
BA- Rocket Path-Kick
BR- Vert
Q- Fake Rocket, Five-step drop-throw vertical
B- Veer Away Path

Rocket Pass Vert versus 4-3 Cover 2.
PR- Vert-Skinny
PA- Vert-Wheel
OL- Slide To
BA- Rocket–Kick 1st threat off PT
BR- Vert
Q- Fake Rocket–five-step drop–throw vertical to BR
B- Veer Away Path–Kick 1st threat off BT

Rocket Hitch versus 4-3. A Paul Johnson favorite.
Same as Rocket Pass except Backside Receiver runs toward the ball, catches it, and breaks outside. The B-back moves lateral to stay out of the Quarterback’s way.

5. Keeping things simple on Heavy. Follow UNLESS A and B gaps are plugged.  If so, default to Rocket.

Heavy Follow versus Odd Stack.
PR- Deep Defender
PA- 3
PT- Base
PG- Base to Ace
C- Veer to Ace
BG/BT- Scoop
BA- Pitch
BR- Cutoff
Q- Follow
B- Veer Path

Heavy Rocket versus 6-3.
PR- Deep Defender
PA, PT, PG- Arc
C, BG, BT- Scoop
BA- Rocket
BR- Cutoff
Q- Rocket Steps
B- Veer Away Path

About the Author

Two State Semifinalists, A State Finalist, and a State Champion in Texas have Come out of Dr. Cella’s Triple Option Football System Over the Last Four Years

Triple Option Football Academy Owner, Dr. Lou Cella, is a Sports Performance Specialist, and a 19-year coaching veteran of the college and high school level.

Over the last four years, Dr. Cella assisted in the turnaround of numerous high school football programs through his triple option-based camp system. Just months after Dr. Cella served as camp director,Cashmere (WA) and Timmonsville (SC) went to the state semifinals, Bayfield (CO) went to the state championship game, and Falls City (TX) won their first regional and first state championship in school history.

In addition, Hereford (MD), Johnson (NJ), Lakewood (SC), Petaluma (CA), Piedra Vista (NM), Poland (ME), Riverwood (GA), San Benito (CA), Seminole County (GA), and Temple City (CA)posted drastic turnarounds just months after Dr. Cella served as their camp director.

Dr. Cella is currently conducting empirical research entitled “Utilizing the 80-20 Rule to Improve Football Coaching Performance.” He possesses four degrees with an A.S. in Education, a B.S. in English, a M.Ed in Information Technology, and a Psy.D in Psychology, Sport Performance Psychology (2014).

Both the American Football Sports Science-Mental Conditioning Academy and the Triple Option Football Academy are governed by AFSSMCA, LLC.  At the heart of the American Football Sports Science-Mental Conditioning Academy (AFSSMCA) and the Triple Option Football Academy is the mission to lead the high-performance football environment through sports science and mental conditioning coaching practices.