Navy’s 2015 Triple Option Offense: Part Two of a Quantitative Study

June 16, 2016

To read Part One, go here.

Navy and Georgia Tech’s Similarities and Differences through October 22, 2015

Similarities

The Triple Option is 31% of Georgia Tech’s Offense and the Triple Option is 22% of Navy’s Offense.  Both Georgia Tech and Navy run Triple Option more than any other concept.The Zone Dive is 12% of Georgia Tech’s Offense and the Zone Dive is 9% of Navy’s Offense.  Both Georgia Tech and Navy utilize the Zone Dive as their #1 most utilized constraint.  Both Georgia Tech and Navy run Zone Dive when #1 cancels the B-Back.

Differences

Georgia Tech’s #2 most utilized constraint is the Rocket Toss.  They utilize Rocket Toss 7% of the time and call this when #1 does not cancel the B-Back (the Mike cancels the B-Back in this case).Navy’s #2 most utilized constraint is the Zone Option.  They utilize Zone Option 9% of the time and call this when #1 does not cancel the B-Back (the Mike cancels the B-Back in this case).

Overall

Georgia Tech and Navy have many more similarities than differences.

Navy versus Air Force and Notre Dame

Other concepts that were utilized:

Follow- 7, Lead Option- 6, Counter Speed- 5, Midline White- 4, Dropback Pass- 4, Belly- 3, Rocket Pass- 3, Rocket Boot Pass- 3, Rocket- 2, Counter Option- 2, Trap- 2, Trap Option- 1, QB Draw- 1, Sneak- 1, Midline Lead- 1, Belly Option- 1

Navy versus Tulane

Navy beat Tulane 31-14
Notes: 48% of the offense was Triple Option, Midline Triple Option, and Zone Option.Navy had more passing yards than rushing yards in this game.

Navy versus Memphis

Navy defeats Memphis 45-20.

Total Plays- 68

Notes: Nearly 3/4 of offense was Triple, Rocket, Midline Triple, Zone Dive, and Zone Option.

46% of offense were Triple Options (Triple, Midline Triple).

So How Did Navy and the Triple Option Beat an 8-0 and #13 Ranked Memphis Team?

Navy ran Triple Option and Midline Triple Option 46% of the time.  This means that they attempted to read two down linemen just about every other play.

Triple Option versus 50 Defense.
PR- Deep Defender
PA- 3
PT- Veer
PG- Base to Ace
C- Veer to Ace
BG/BT- Scoop
BA- Pitch
BR- Cutoff
Q- Veer 1 Pitch 2
B- Veer Path

Midline Triple v. 4-4
PR- Deep Defender
PA- Twirl-Run Support
PT- Veer
PG- Veer
C/BG- Reverse Ace
BT- Scoop
BA- Pitch
BR- Cutoff
Q- Mid 1, Pitch 2
B- Mid Path

Navy knew they couldn’t block Memphis, so they made Quarterback Keenan Reynolds read their way out.  In 2015, Navy has run Triple Option 22% of the time; however, versus Memphis, they ran Triple Option 37% of the time and Midline Triple 9% of the time.  The lesson to be learned from all this: Run as much Triple Option as you can–because it works!  Navy beats an AP Top 15 team for the first time since 1984–because they read defensive linemen instead of blocking them.

Navy ran the below-listed concept nine (9) times in their win versus previously undefeated Memphis on Saturday night:

Midline Triple (10/11)

Midline Triple v. 4-4
PR- Deep Defender
PA- Twirl-Run Support
PT- Veer
PG- Veer
C/BG- Reverse Ace
BT- Scoop
BA- Pitch
BR- Cutoff
Q- Mid 1, Pitch 2
B- Mid Path

On Midline Triple, the Receiver has the Deep Defender, the Playside A-Back has #3, and the Backside A-Back has the pitch, the Backside Receiver has the cutoff.The Quarterback takes the snap, jumps in the backside A gap, points the ball, gives to the B-Back who is running the cylinder, unless #1 takes the B-Back. If so, the Quarterback re-seats the ball, replaces #1 and scores UNLESS #2 steps at him.  If so, the Quarterback parallel pitches the ball to the Backside A-Back.

Here’s how to drill Midline Triple with your skill positions:

Midline Triple Drill with Skill Positions.

Part Three is published tomorrow.