Flexbone Formation Football: Essential Plays and Tactics
January 22, 2025
**Midline Triple Option**
The Midline Triple Option, as explained by the Triple Option Football Academy, gives the quarterback three options: hand off to the fullback, keep the ball, or pitch to a slotback. This play starts with the quarterback reading the defensive tackle or end to decide whether to keep the ball or hand it off. If the defense commits to stopping the fullback dive, the quarterback can keep it or pitch it outside. This play requires excellent timing and decision-making from the quarterback, ensuring the defense is always kept guessing.[](https://tripleoptionfootball.com/2024/11/25/flexbone-triple-option-playbook-key-formations-plays-and-winning-strategies/)
**Follow**
In the Follow play, detailed on the Triple Option Football Academy site, the quarterback follows the fullback through the hole after faking a handoff. This deception often confuses linebackers, allowing the quarterback to find space where the fullback has drawn the defense. It's a play that leverages the quarterback's mobility and the fullback's ability to engage defenders, creating an opportunity for a significant gain.[](https://tripleoptionfootball.com/2024/11/25/flexbone-triple-option-playbook-key-formations-plays-and-winning-strategies/)
**Trap**
The Trap play, as per the Triple Option Football Academy, involves the offensive line initially blocking away from the play side, only for a guard or tackle to 'trap' block a defensive lineman who has penetrated into the backfield. This misdirection allows the fullback or running back to cut back inside where the trap block has created a lane. It's a play that tests the discipline of the offensive line and the vision of the ball carrier.[](https://tripleoptionfootball.com/2024/11/25/flexbone-triple-option-playbook-key-formations-plays-and-winning-strategies/)
**Rocket Toss**
The Rocket Toss, highlighted by the Triple Option Football Academy, is an outside play where the quarterback tosses the ball to a slotback who is sprinting towards the sideline. This play stretches the defense horizontally, often catching them off guard if they are too focused on stopping inside runs. The speed of the slotback and the precise toss from the quarterback are crucial for its success.[](https://tripleoptionfootball.com/2024/11/25/flexbone-triple-option-playbook-key-formations-plays-and-winning-strategies/)
**Formations**
- **Flex Formation**: The Flexbone formation, as described by the Triple Option Football Academy, features a quarterback under center, a fullback directly behind, and two slotbacks aligned just outside the tackles. This formation allows for a high degree of flexibility, enabling multiple run and pass options.[](https://tripleoptionfootball.com/flexbone/)
- **Spread Formation**: While not specifically detailed, the Flexbone can adapt into a spread look by splitting the slotbacks wider, still maintaining the core principles of the Flexbone but adding more passing threats to keep defenses honest.[](https://tripleoptionfootball.com/flexbone/)
- **Heavy Formation**: This formation might involve adding an extra tight end or shifting to a more run-heavy setup to overpower the defense at the point of attack, as inferred from the general principles of the Flexbone offense on the Triple Option Football Academy site.[](https://tripleoptionfootball.com/flexbone/)
By mastering these plays and formations from the Triple Option Football Academy, teams can leverage the strategic depth and versatility of the Flexbone offense to dominate on the field.](https://i0.wp.com/tripleoptionfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_7761.jpeg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1)
**Flexbone Formation Football: Essential Plays and Tactics**
**Zone Dive**
According to the Triple Option Football Academy, the Zone Dive is a fundamental play in the Flexbone offense which focuses on a straightforward inside run. The quarterback hands off the ball to the fullback, who then looks for the seam in the defense to exploit. This play is designed to maintain simplicity while being effective, relying on the offensive line to block zone schemes to open up running lanes for the fullback. The key here is the precision of the handoff and the ability of the fullback to read and react to the defensive alignment.[](https://tripleoptionfootball.com/2024/11/25/flexbone-triple-option-playbook-key-formations-plays-and-winning-strategies/)
**Midline Triple Option**
The Midline Triple Option, as explained by the Triple Option Football Academy, gives the quarterback three options: hand off to the fullback, keep the ball, or pitch to a slotback. This play starts with the quarterback reading the defensive tackle or end to decide whether to keep the ball or hand it off. If the defense commits to stopping the fullback dive, the quarterback can keep it or pitch it outside. This play requires excellent timing and decision-making from the quarterback, ensuring the defense is always kept guessing.[](https://tripleoptionfootball.com/2024/11/25/flexbone-triple-option-playbook-key-formations-plays-and-winning-strategies/)
**Follow**
In the Follow play, detailed on the Triple Option Football Academy site, the quarterback follows the fullback through the hole after faking a handoff. This deception often confuses linebackers, allowing the quarterback to find space where the fullback has drawn the defense. It’s a play that leverages the quarterback’s mobility and the fullback’s ability to engage defenders, creating an opportunity for a significant gain.[](https://tripleoptionfootball.com/2024/11/25/flexbone-triple-option-playbook-key-formations-plays-and-winning-strategies/)
**Trap**
The Trap play, as per the Triple Option Football Academy, involves the offensive line initially blocking away from the play side, only for a guard or tackle to ‘trap’ block a defensive lineman who has penetrated into the backfield. This misdirection allows the fullback or running back to cut back inside where the trap block has created a lane. It’s a play that tests the discipline of the offensive line and the vision of the ball carrier.[](https://tripleoptionfootball.com/2024/11/25/flexbone-triple-option-playbook-key-formations-plays-and-winning-strategies/)
**Rocket Toss**
The Rocket Toss, highlighted by the Triple Option Football Academy, is an outside play where the quarterback tosses the ball to a slotback who is sprinting towards the sideline. This play stretches the defense horizontally, often catching them off guard if they are too focused on stopping inside runs. The speed of the slotback and the precise toss from the quarterback are crucial for its success.[](https://tripleoptionfootball.com/2024/11/25/flexbone-triple-option-playbook-key-formations-plays-and-winning-strategies/)
**Formations**
– **Flex Formation**: The Flexbone formation, as described by the Triple Option Football Academy, features a quarterback under center, a fullback directly behind, and two slotbacks aligned just outside the tackles. This formation allows for a high degree of flexibility, enabling multiple run and pass options.[](https://tripleoptionfootball.com/flexbone/)
– **Spread Formation**: While not specifically detailed, the Flexbone can adapt into a spread look by splitting the slotbacks wider, still maintaining the core principles of the Flexbone but adding more passing threats to keep defenses honest.[](https://tripleoptionfootball.com/flexbone/)
– **Heavy Formation**: This formation might involve adding an extra tight end or shifting to a more run-heavy setup to overpower the defense at the point of attack, as inferred from the general principles of the Flexbone offense on the Triple Option Football Academy site.[](https://tripleoptionfootball.com/flexbone/)
By mastering these plays and formations from the Triple Option Football Academy, teams can leverage the strategic depth and versatility of the Flexbone offense to dominate on the field.
