Have more explosive plays than your opponent, and you’ll win 86 percent of the time.
SB Nation stats guru Bill Connelly analyzed yard per play numbers from every regular-season college football game in 2013 (nearly one million plays in all) and found that teams with a per-play advantage as small as 0.5-to-1 yard win 72 percent of the time, by an average of 7.7 points. Hold an edge of 1-to-1.5 yards per play, and you’ll win 86 percent of games, with an average margin of victory by 13.2 points. The numbers get more slanted from there, up to a 5-yard per play advantage leading to a 100 percent victory rate by an average of 51 points.
The Triple Option is built on explosive plays in the passing game when the defense sacrifices pass coverage for Triple Option run support.
The following are examples of this in action:
Triple Pass on 3rd and short, especially if the Offense is in two-down territory.
Triple Pass Right v. 4-4 (Split) Defense.
Versus ONE safety defenses, the Playside Receiver and Playside A run verticals.
The Quarterback stares down the safety from the time he gets out of the huddle and throws over the safety’s head UNLESS the safety backpedals at the snap–if so, the Quarterback throws the ball into the lawn (Playside Receiver).
The Offensive Line slides away from the call, the B-back blocks the 1st threat off the Playside Tackle and the Backside A runs the pitch route and kicks out the first threat off the B.
The Backside Receiver runs a 17-yard drag.
Triple Pass v. 4-3 Cover 2
Versus TWO safety defenses, the Playside Receiver runs a SKINNY POST and the Playside A runs a WHEEL.
The Quarterback stares down the safety from the time he gets out of the huddle and throws over the safety’s head UNLESS the safety backpedals at the snap–if so, the Quarterback throws the ball into the lawn (Playside A).
The Offensive Line slides away from the call, the B-back blocks the 1st threat off the Playside Tackle and the Backside A runs the pitch route and kicks out the first threat off the B.
The Backside Receiver runs a 17-yard drag.
Rocket Pass v. Bear.
Rocket Pass v 50 Eagle
Four Verticals vs. one-high safety.
Vert Right versus Two-High Safeties. The Playside A runs to seven yards and posts into the middle of the field because it is open.
Trips Right, Vert Right. This takes advantage of one-high safety defenses and forces the safety to declare himself.
Trips Vert Right.
The Quarterback will throw the ball to the Middle Receiver here.
The Offensive Line slides away from the call, both receivers run fades, the Playside A runs a vertical because the Middle of the Field is closed, and the B-Back blocks the 1st threat off the Playside Tackle.
The Quarterback 5-step drops and throws the ball to the Middle Receiver.
Over Brown Right, Vert Right. If the Defense does not want to bring an extra man over to the OVER side, walk the backside A-Back up, walk the Middle Receiver back, and run four verticals.
Trips Right, Vert Right Backside. This is designed to isolate a weak cornerback on a wide receiver. The ultimate one-on-one matchup is right here.
As you can see, there are many ways to create explosive plays in the Triple Option Offense. This should be your #1 goal as a Triple Option Offense–make the defense sacrifice pass coverage for run support–and then, throw over their heads.
