Flexbone Triple Option: Future Looks Bright!
December 2, 2024
The future appears bright for the Flexbone Triple Option offense due to several key factors:
1. **Uniqueness and Defensive Challenges:**
– The Flexbone offense remains unique compared to the more prevalent spread and pass-heavy systems in modern football. This uniqueness means many defenses are less prepared to face it, providing an advantage in terms of game preparation and execution. Defending against the triple option requires specific training and discipline, which can lead to confusion and errors if not practiced regularly.
2. **Adaptability to Player Talent:**
– It’s an offense that can be tailored to the strengths of the team’s personnel rather than requiring specific types of players. You don’t need oversized linemen or a quarterback with a cannon arm. Instead, it thrives on intelligent, quick, and versatile athletes, particularly at the quarterback and running back positions. This adaptability makes it an attractive option for schools with varied talent pools, especially at the high school level where recruiting top-tier athletes for every position might not be feasible.
3. **Control of Possession:**
– The Flexbone often results in long, sustained drives due to its run-heavy nature and the efficiency of option plays, which keeps the ball out of the opponent’s hands, reducing their scoring opportunities. This strategy can be particularly effective in close games or when facing teams with superior talent but less discipline.
4. **Simplicity and Complexity:**
– While the basics of the Flexbone can be simple for players to learn, the complexity comes from the variety of plays that can stem from it. Misdirection, fakes, and different formations can keep defenses guessing. This blend of simplicity for the offense and complexity for the defense maintains the offense’s effectiveness even as defenses adapt.
5. **Effective at Multiple Levels:**
– The Flexbone has proven successful not only in high school but also in college football, particularly at service academies like Army and Air Force, where it levels the playing field against teams with more physical advantages. The historical success of teams like Georgia Tech, when run by coaches like Paul Johnson, shows its viability at higher levels when properly executed.
6. **Educational Resources and Coaching Clinics:**
– There are dedicated resources, like those from the Triple Option Football Academy, where coaches can learn, refine, and implement the system. This support structure, along with your personal involvement, Dr. Lou Cella, through camps and educational content, continues to spread knowledge and enthusiasm for the offense.
7. **Success Stories and Case Studies:**
– High schools like Tyrone (OK), which transformed their performance dramatically by adopting the Flexbone, serve as examples that inspire others to consider this offensive strategy. Success stories like these highlight the system’s potential to turn teams around and achieve significant victories.
Given these points, the Flexbone Triple Option offense continues to offer a competitive edge, especially for teams looking to maximize their existing talent or challenge the status quo of modern football playstyles. Its future remains bright because it can still surprise, control game pace, and utilize athleticism in ways that many modern defenses are not regularly prepared to counter.
Flexbone Triple Option: Future Looks Bright!
