Flexbone Triple Option- Defined
July 7, 2024
The Flexbone formation is a specific offensive alignment in American football known for its flexibility and the ability to run multiple option plays.
The Triple Option is a cornerstone of option football, characterized by its multiple choices for the quarterback on a single play, making it difficult for defenses to predict and stop. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
In the Triple Option, the quarterback has three potential actions he can take after the snap, each dependent on the defensive reaction:
1. Hand Off to the Fullback (Dive): The quarterback can hand the ball off to the fullback, who runs up the middle. This is usually the first read and is made based on the actions of the defensive tackle.
2. Keep the Ball (Quarterback Keep): If the defensive tackle commits to stopping the fullback, the quarterback pulls the ball back and runs parallel to the line of scrimmage, reading the next defender.
3. Pitch to a Trailing Back (Pitch Option): As the quarterback runs laterally, he watches the next unblocked defender. If that defender commits to tackling him, the quarterback pitches the ball to a trailing slotback or running back who continues the play outside.
In summary-the flexbone is a formation while the triple option is three plays in one. 
