Installing The Option From The

Pistol

By James Vint
“If You Have A Systematic Way
To Teach An Offense, Your Kids
Will Have A Systematic Way Of
Learning The Offense”
 Topics We Will Cover
• Advantages of the Option Game
• Player and Hole Numbering
• Option Plays
– Midline
– IS Veer
– Outside Veer
– Speed Option
– Zone Read Option
– Load Option
– Trap Option
• Check With Me System
 Why The Pistol?
• Allowed us to eliminate some tendencies
with our option game
• Gives our QB depth in the pass game
• We could run our entire option package!
• We could flip plays without flipping our
running back
• Allowed us to run our base one and two
back offense from the gun
• Offense could be run based from the gun!
 Advantages Of The Option Game
• Allows You To Get The Ball Onto The Perimeter
• Forces The Defense To Play Assignment Football
• Allows Your Best Athletes To Get The Ball In Space
• Allows You To Account For Eight Man Fronts
• Gives You The Opportunity For Big Plays
• Systematic Approach Allows You To Audible At LOS
• Forces Your Opponent To Prepare For Something They
Don’t See Every Week
• Your Opponent Can’t Emulate The Option
• Takes Away The Ability Of The Defense To Blitz
 Hole And Back Numbering
9 7 5 3 1 0 2 4 6 8
X Z
Y

1
4 3

We number our play with the number of the ball

carrier, followed by the hole number. For example,
IS veer left would be 13 veer. All option plays start
with a 1, with the exception of trap option.
 Our Base Formation

X Y
H Z

Q Our offensive line

A
will have 2 to 2.5
foot splits.

X and Z Align 2 yards inside the top of the numbers.

Our H splits the distance between the tackle and the
X receiver.
Our QB aligns 4 yards behind the center.
Our A Back aligns 7 yards deep.
Our Pistol Set Illustrated
Pistol Base (Wide)
 Navy

X Z
H Y

Navy is a 2x2 formation popular with traditional option teams

Our H and Y will align 1x1 off the tackles
We can personnel this by bringing in a third running back
We want our H and our Y to press the line of scrimmage. We
want them as tight as they can be without getting covered up
by the X and Z
 Navy Strong

X Y
H Z

Q
The Z becomes a
wing in Navy Strong.
A

The Z will line up 1x1 on the TE

The H will align 1x1 on the weakside offensive tackle
The A will align at 6.5 yards
 Navy Trade

Y Z
H X
Q
Trade alerts our weak
tackle and tight end they
A
will flip.

Our Z will align in his normal alignment

The X will align as a twin receiver, splitting the distance
between the tackle and the Z
The H will align as a wing on the tight end.
 Bunch
X
Y
H Z
Q
We can personnel to
bring our second TE
A
in the game.

Our Y will align 2 yards outside the tackle

The Z aligns one yard outside the Y and 1 yard deep
The H will split the distance between the tackle and the Y
The X will take his normal alignment
 Even

X Z

H Y
Q
We can widen or
tighten our Y and H
A
as needed

The Y and H split the distance between the tackle and

the #1 WR.
 Trey

X Y
H Z
Q
Trey is similar to
Trips, with our Y on
A
the LOS

The Z will take his normal alignment

The H will split the distance between the Y and the Z
 Trey Bunch

X Y
H Z
Q
We can personnel
A the Navy set for
different concepts.

The H aligns 1x1 on the TE

The Z aligns 1 yard outside the H
 Navy Bunch

X Z
H Y

Q
Compressed formations
A are great versus man
coverage.

Z and H line up 1x1 from the EMOL.

Our X and Z close down and line up 2 yards outside
the Y and H.
 Queen

X Z
Y

H Q
In our 2 back look we
A will bring our F into the
game for our H at times.

The Y lines up in his base alignment.

The H lines up on the outside leg of our guard.
Queen alerts the H he will line up away from our Y.
 King

X Z
Y

Q H

The Y lines up in his base alignment.

The H lines up on the outside leg of our guard.
King alerts the H he will line up on the same side as
our Y.
 King Pro

X Y
Z

Q H
Pro alerts the TE he will
A line up on the LOS in our
King and Queen Sets.

The Y lines up in a 3 pt. stance 2.5 feet from our tackle.

The H lines up on the outside leg of our guard.
King alerts the H he will line up on the same side as
our Y.
 Queen Pro

X Y
Z

H Q
Pro alerts the TE he will
A line up on the LOS in our
King and Queen Sets.

The Y lines up in a 3 pt. stance 2.5 feet from our tackle.

Queen alerts the H he will line up opposite the TE.
 Queen Twins Closed

Z Y
X
H Q
We will line up with our
A TE on line, and twins
opposite the TE.

Our #2 receiver is on line 6 yards from the tackle.

Our #1 receiver lines up 12 yards from the tackle and 1
yard off the ball.
 King Twins Closed

Y X
Z
H Q
King allows us to line up
A with a twins closed look.
Our FB is offset with the Y.

Our #2 receiver is on line 6 yards from the tackle.

Our #1 receiver lines up 12 yards from the tackle and 1
yard off the ball.
 Queen Bunch

Z Y
X
H Q
We will line up with our
A TE on line, and twins
opposite the TE.

Our Z lines up 2 yards outside the tackle.

Our X lines up 1x1 on the Z.
Our H lines up straddling the IS leg of the tackle.
 King Pro Bunch

X Y
Z

Q H

A Bunch alerts the H he will

widen to straddle the
outside leg of our tackle.

The Y lines up in a 3 pt. stance 2.5 feet from our tackle.

Our Y lines up 1x1 on the TE.
Our H will widen his alignment.
 Motion Concepts
• We use motion to gain an advantage at
the point of attack
• We want to remove a defender
• We want to gain leverage
• We want to change the strength
• We want to make a coverage
determination
 Receiver Motion
• Zip- #1 into the formation
• Zap- #1 away from the formation
• Zoom- #1 across the formation
• Rip- Left IS Receiver across the formation
• Liz- Right IS Receiver across the formation
• Motor- Right IS WR motions out past the #1 WR
• Motel- Left IS WR motions out past the #1 WR
• Tom- Y shuffle motion to the play
• Ted- Y Shuffle motion away from the play
• Hop- H Shuffle motion to the play
• Hip- H Shuffle motion away from the play
• Jet- Motion to mesh with the QB as on Jet Sweep
 RB Motion
• Hump- A Back to the TE
• Jump- A Back away from the TE
• Away- H (in the backfield) away from the TE
• To- H (In the backfield) to the TE
• Orbit- Motions our H or A back into the backfield
Adding Re to any motion brings the player back
Adding slow to any motion slows the player down
 Example of Zip

X Y
H Z
Q

A The Z will motion into the

formation.

The ball will be snapped when the Z is 2 yards outside

the Y.
If we flip the formation, the X would be in motion.
 Example of Zip

Y Z
X H
Q

A To the Right, the Z is in

motion.

The ball will be snapped when the X is 2 yards outside

the Y.
 Example of Zip from King

X Y
Z
Q H

We can motion our Z back

to the formation from our
King Look as well.
 Example of Motor

X Z

H Y
Q

A The Z will tighten his split

The Y will motion outside the Z.

If we called MOTEL, the H would motion outside the X.
The QB snaps the ball when the Y is 4 yards outside
the Z.
We are trying to create a match-up advantage.
 Example of Zap

Y Z
X H
Q

A To the right, the Z will be

in motion.

The ball will be snapped when the X is 2 yards outside

the Y.
 Example of Rip

X Z
H Y

A On Liz, the Y is in motion

form our base look.

The ball will be snapped when the H is 2 yards outside

the tackle.
 Example of Rip From Trips

X Z
H Y
Q

A From Trips Left, the Y will

motion back to his normal
alignment.

If we are in trips right and want to motion back to our

base 2x2 look, the H would be in Liz motion.
 Example of Jump

X Z
H Y
Q

A
The WR to the motion
side will close his split
down to 8 yards.

Hump tells the A back he will motion away from the Y.

 Installing The Midline Option
• Attacks the Midpoint of the defense
• Gives us a chance to attack the A gap, B
gap, and C gap in one play
• Simple read for the quarterback
• Opportunities for Multiple Complimentary
plays
Installing The Option As A System:
Midline Option
• We Install The Midline Option First As It Is The
Easiest Read For The QB
• The Midline Attacks The Middle Of The Defense
• Forces The Defense To Reduce Their Front
• Reduction Of The Front Opens Up The
Perimeter
• Complementary Plays Answer What Defenses
Do To Take Midline Away
• Complementary Plays Allow You To Dictate Who
Carries The Football
 Midline Installation Rules
• Run To A 3 Technique
• Run To The Tight End Side (Later You Will
Run It Weak and vs. a 50 Front)
• FB Attacks The Midpoint Of The Center
• QB Reads The Jersey Number Of The 3
Tech
• “If The 3 Squeezes, Pull and Replace”
• “If The 3 Comes Upfield Give and Replace
 Midline Option: The Mesh

The QB Will Push Away And Step At Six

On The Push Away Step, The QB Brings
The Ball To His Third Hand (Belly)
As He Steps At Six, The QB Will Reach
The Ball Deep and Snap His Eyes To His
Read
The A back aims for the crack of the
center’s butt
The FB must make a deep, soft pocket
 Reading The 3 Tech Mesh Drill
• If The 3 Tech Comes Upfield,
The QB Gives
• If The 3 Tech Squeezes, The T
QB Will Pull The Ball And
Replace The 3 Tech
• If the QB Has The Ball At His
Front Leg, He Will Give The
Ball
• The FB Must Make A Soft
Pocket
 Midline Option: Playside Guard
“Pickin’ Grass”
• The Playside Guard Is Going To Reduce
His Shoulder To Get Under The 3 Tech
and Attack The Mike Linebacker
• We Teach This Technique As Pickin’ Grass
• He Picks Grass With His Outside Arm and
Gets His Eyes To The Mike
• If The Mike Steps Up, Block Him
• If The Mike Flows, Go To The Free Safety
Pickin’ Grass Drill For The PSG
In This Case, The Mike Stepped Up M
In The B Gap, So The PSG Picked T
Him Up

F
In This Case, The Mike Attcked The B M
Gap, So The PSG worked up to FS
T
 Zone Combination Blocks
B B
T T

If the linebacker fills the A gap,

We will take a Jam Step to
the guard will come off. If the
get hip to hip.
linebacker fills in the B Gap, the
Our second step will work up tackle will come off.
field.
B
We contact the near jersey
number. T
Our eyes must go to backer.
Midline Option: The Jill Scheme
F
C R W M S C
E T T E

Queen Pro 10 Midline The QB must get

downhill if he gets a pull
read. We must avoid
running the hump

This is the Jill Scheme Because Of The Fold Block By The

Tackle and TE. The Tackle Goes First, Hence The Jill Call.
The Tailback Gets Into Relationship And Calls “Ball, Ball”
Midline Option: The Jill Scheme
F
C R W M S C
E T T E

Navy 10 Midline The frontside slot

becomes the second
tracker on midline.

In the pistol you don’t have to motion the backside slot to

become the pitch man on any option play.
Midline Option: The Base Scheme
F
C R W M S C
E T T E

Versus a 9 technique the

Queen Pro 10 Midline
TE will make a base call
which alerts the PST he
will be the second player
tracking the Mike to the FS

The Base Scheme allows the midline to be run against a 3

and a nine technique. If the Sam LB is disrupting the play we
can have the PST climb to Sam immediately and put the PSG
man on the Mike.
Midline Option: The Base Scheme
F
C R W M S C
E T T E

The F will lead up on the

Queen Pro 10 Midline
Sam if the QB gets a pull
read.

The Base Scheme allows the midline to be run against a 3

and a nine technique. The fullback will lead up on the Sam.
 Midline Option: Versus a 50
F
C W M $ C
R T N E S

Versus a 50 the Center is

Queen Pro 10 Midline
man on the Nose- The
back will cut off the block of
the center

Versus the 50 the Midline is an excellent football play

The center will base nose and take him where he goes
 Midline Option: Weakside
F
C R W M C
S E T T E

We can run midline weak

Queen Pro Left 10 Midline
versus a reduced front.

Versus a reduced front we can run midline weak. The FB will

become the second tracker for the Mike to FS.
 Midline Option: Pitch Scheme
F
C R W M S C
E T T E

If the Sam is falling in on

Queen Pro 10 Pitch
the QB the TE will arc
release to seal the TE. The
QB will pitch off the end.

The Pitch Scheme allows the offense to take advantage of a

Sam linebacker who is falling in on the QB. The QB will widen
his path slightly and pitch off the end.
 Midline Option: QB Iso
F
C R W M C
E T T E S

Queen Pro 10 Iso

If the Mike is vacating to the B gap, the Iso play takes

advantage of the vacated A gap.
 Midline Option: Follow Opposite
F
C R W M C
E T T E S

Queen Pro 10 Iso

If the Will is making the play on your dive back, you can run
follow opposite to attack the backside B gap.
 Installing The Inside Veer
• We will read a frontside player
• Our offensive line will utilize zone
combination blocks
• We can run the inside veer from multiple
formations
• The inside veer is an aggressive downhill
run play.
Option Plays From Our Veer Scheme

• 12-13 Veer Each Option Play Has A

Series Of Complementary
• 14-15 Shovel
Plays Designed To Take
• 18-19 Speed Advantage of Defensive
Adjustments
 Installing The Inside Veer
• Hits the B, C, and D Gaps
• Simple read for the QB
• Downhill action stresses the playside linebacker
• Eliminates the defensive end
• Can eliminate stunts
• Gives you an opportunity to hit the perimeter
• Allows us multiple option concepts with one
blocking scheme
 Inside Veer Installation Rules
• Run To A 5 Technique
• We read the C gap defender
• RB attacks the butt of the combo block
• QB Reads The Jersey Number Of The 5
Tech
• “Squeeze and Chase, Pull and Replace”
• Anything else, give the ball
 Inside Veer Option: The Mesh

The QB will take a flat step with his

outside foot.
He will get his second step into the
hole.
His eyes snap to the C gap.
The back will take a short drop step to
the QB.
He will make a deep soft pocket and
work downhill.
 Teaching The Inside Veer Release
• The PST will take a hard 6 inch step with his
outside foot.
• His outside hand will work the near breast plate
of the defensive end.
• He must maintain a strong base as he works
upfield as not to get slammed down.
• His Landmark is the playside bicep of the first
backer inside of him.
 The Inside Release Illustrated

The PST Steps with his outside foot

B
He will work upfield maintaining his base
E
His aiming point is the outside bicep of the
backer.

If the DE crosses the face of our tackle, our

B
tackle will run his feet and block him.
E
The replacement player will become our read.
You must drill this during your mesh period.
 The Two Track Two Concept
• Allows Us To Have A Second Player Track
The PSLB To The FS
• We can use a TE or a slot to be the
second player.
• We must have four eyes to backer!
• If the backer goes away, go to the free
safety.
 Two Track Two Drill Illustrated
F
If the Backer steps up into the B gap the PST
will block him.
B
The slot or TE then works up to the FS.
If the backer flows over the top, the slot or TE E
will block the backer.
The PST would then work up to the FS.
We drill this during our mesh period.
 Offensive Line Rules
• We use a gap scheme with zone
combination blocks.
• Our PST is responsible for the B gap.
• Our PSG is responsible for the playside A
gap.
• Our Center has the backside A gap.
• Our BSG has the backside B gap.
• The BST has the backside C gap.
 Playside Tackle Rules
PST- If you have no first level B gap player
you will release to backer.
If you have a backer in the B gap you will
block him.
If you have a DL in the B gap you will call
for a combo.
Playside Tackle Rules Illustrated
W
If you have no first level B gap player E T
you will release to backer.

If you have a backer in the B gap you E B T

will block him.

B
If you have a DL in the B gap you will E T
call for a combo.
 Offensive Line Rules
If you have a down lineman to your
assigned gap away, you will work a zone
combination block to the backside backer.
If you have a down lineman in the gap to
your frontside you will work a combo with
the lineman to your frontside tracking the
backer in your gap.
 13 Veer to An Under Front
F
C W M R C
ET T E S

Queen Slot 13 Veer

Our tackle has a DL in the B gap. He will alert the PSG they
will combo to the PSLB.
 Inside Veer From The Queen
R F
C W M S C
E T T E

• QB Reads 5 Tech For Give Read, OLB or R for Pitch

• Great vs. 1-5 technique playside
• Great vs. 8 Man Fronts
• O Line Uses Zone Combination Blocks
 Inside Veer From Bunch
F
C W M R C
S
E T T E

• We would tag cowboy to have the inside man in our

bunch become the pitch man.
• We can motion our outside receiver into or away from
the bunch.
• We maintain our same reads.
 Inside Veer From Queen Slot
F
C W M R C
S
E T T E

• The A back is now our dive back.

• The F is now our pitch back.
• The QB can run the play either way regardless of back
alignment.
 Bunch Zap 13 Veer
F
C W M S C
E T T E R
Y
H Z

• We can run veer away from the bunch as well

• The backside H would be our pitch man
• The QB can check the play to either side, with a cowboy
call to the strong side to make the H use a cowboy
technique
 Inside Veer From Navy
F
C W M R C
S
E T T E

• From Navy the frontside slot would track the Will to the
FS.
• The backside slot would become our pitch man.
• The QB can check the play to either side.
 Pistol 13 Veer Cowboy
F
C W M S C
R
E T T E
X Z
H Y

• We would tag cowboy to have the inside man in our

bunch become the pitch man.
• We can motion our outside receiver into or away from
the bunch.
• We maintain our same reads.
 Complementing The Veer
• Defenses will use stunts and blitzes to
stop our option game
• We have complements to take advantage
of defensive adjustments
• Our complements can be called in the
huddle or checked at the line
 33 Dive
F
C W M
R S C
E T T E

When we get a linebacker vacating the B gap, we can run our

dive play. This is an automatic give. The PST must keep the
slanting end out of the B gap.
 13 Follow
F
C R W M S C
E T T E

13 Follow is a great complement to the IS Veer. Follow alerts

the OL we will be Iso blocking. The QB will ride the dive
back, pull the football, and follow.
 Installing the Shovel Option
• Gives the 5 technique yet another look to
prepare for.
• Allows our offense to take advantage of an
upfield defensive end.
• We can get the ball to our best athletes on
the perimeter
 15 Slide Option (Shovel)
F
C W M R C
S
E T T E

F
A

• The A back is our pitch back

• The F is our shovel back
• The QB will take a slide step then attack the DE. If the
DE comes upfield, shovel, if the DE squeezes, attack the
force player for your pitch read
 15 Slide Option (Shovel)
F
C W M R C
S
E T T E

Y H

• The A back is our pitch back

• The H is our shovel back
• The QB will take a slide step then attack the DE. If the
DE comes upfield, shovel, if the DE squeezes, attack the
force player for your pitch read
 Installing the Speed Option
• Allows you to get the ball on the perimeter
• Your athletes get the ball in space
• Forces defense to defend the alley and the
sidewalk
• Takes advantage when the defense reduces
their front
• Allows you another way to attack the 5
technique
• We use our veer blocking scheme
 19 Speed to An Over Front
F
C W M
R S C
E T T E

The QB will attack the outside shoulder of the 5 technique.

 19 Speed to An Under Front
F
C W M
R S C
ET T E

With a 3 technique to the playside the PSG and PST will

combo up to the Will.
 19 Speed Option
F
C W M R C
S
E T T E

Y H

• The A back is our pitch back

• The QB will slide one step and attack the DE
• The QB will pitch off the DE
** In the pistol we do not have to flip our back to flip the
play!
 Installing The Load Option
• Load Option gets the ball on the perimeter
quickly
• We load the alley player (usually the free
safety)
• Offensive line uses slow rotating zone
combinations
• Load is a double-option with a pitch phase
and a keep phase
• Puts the 9 technique in conflict
 Fullback on Load Option
• The Fullback will block the first defensive
player past our pitch read
• The fullback runs at the inside jersey of
the read
• If the read goes upfield, the FB turns up
inside of him to block the next color
• If the read squeezes, the fullback goes
outside the read to block the next color
 Load Drill

D D

F F

The fullback sees the defender The defender comes down hill
going upfield to take the to take the quarterback, so the
pitchman, so the fullback turns fullback goes outside of him to
up field to load the alley player. load the alley player.
 King Pro 18 Load vs. a 1-5-9
R F
C W M C
E T T E S

• O-Line Uses Load Blocking

• Pitch off the first man outside the 9 Tech
• FB Flashes Hands and Works To Alley Player
• QB Slides, Then attacks 9 Tech
• Zone Combination Blocks Get Great Movement
 Our Inside Read Game
• We will run our inside read and inside read
option concepts.
• We can run both concepts from a 1 and
two back set.
• We can read the backside or the frontside.
• Our Zone read with the H back is our base
play in the two back set.
Inside Zone Count System
2
W M
3 1 1 2 3
E T T E S

Uncovered and Covered lineman will work combination

They will track the down lineman to the linebacker
We will make a solid call if everyone is covered
 Inside Zone Count System
2
W M
3 1 1 2 3
E T T E S

C Identify Mike as 0, Combo with RG, combo 3 Tech to Mike

LG Covered, Listen for combo call, DT is 1, combo 1 tech to Will

LT Identify Will as 2, make combo call, combo 1 tech to Will

RG Identify 3 Tech as #1, listen for combo call, combo 1 tech to Mike

RT Covered by #2, make solo call, you have 2 to yourself

TE Covered by #3, make solo call as you and RT are covered
 Inside Zone Numbering Versus Fronts
Zone To The Right
1 1 1 1
W M W M
3 2 0 2 3 3 2 0 2 3
E T T E S E T T E S

Double Eagle Eagle Weak

 Inside Zone Numbering Versus Fronts
Zone To The Right
2 1 1
1 1
W M S
3 0 2 3 W M
3 2 0 2 3
E N E $ E T T E S

30 Stack
22 Stack Up

We number our stack by game plan. Whenever we face a stack defense, we

go back to our gap rules. We have our gap first.
Covered/Uncovered Zone Concept
M M

T T

This is an example of an The uncovered player must

Ace call on 42 IS. The RG have his eyes in his PSG.
is covered with a 3 tech, In the case above, the 3
and the Center is Tech slanted inside and the
uncovered with a man over. Center has to pick him up.
The RG and Center take The RG sees him go away
their playside zone step and now works to the player
with eyes to their gap. filling the B gap.

If the Mac were to step up to blitz, the Center would make a base call. This
would eliminate the Arizona call and put both lineman on a base block.
 Handling Stunts
B
B B
L
E T T E

This is a two-on-two drill

working two offensive
lineman vs. a defensive This is our three on three drill we do a lot
lineman and a backer. This because of stacked fronts. We get head up
is a generic drill where we tackles that will slant. We work this drill
will put guards with tackles with the frontside, then the backside. We
and centers with guards. get our eyes up and this teaches the kids to
We want this to be a game be able to work an inside threat. We teach
speed drill once the initial patience in this drill and we follow a very
teaching is done. strict rule, “Don’t Chase Backers.”

You must work against

twists, slants, and loops!
 32 Inside Read Option
R W M

E T T E S

The Offensive Line will execute their inside zone rules.

The TB will dropstep and get into pitch relationship
The QB will read the backside 5 tech for his give/keep
read. He will pitch off the next defender.
Pistol Orbit 42 IS Read Cowboy
R W M S
E T T E

H Y

The Offensive Line will execute their inside zone rules.

The TB will execute his backside mesh footwork.
The QB will read the backside 5 tech for his give/keep
read. He will pitch off the next defender.
Bunch Right 43 IS Read Option
F R W M S C

E T T E
X Y
H Z

The Offensive Line will execute their inside zone rules.

The backside H will be the pitch man.
The QB will read the backside 5 tech for his give/keep
read. He will pitch off the next defender.
 33 Inside Read Option
W M

E T T E S

The QB and tailback will utilize zone read footwork

The QB will read the EMOL
The back will read the backside A gap to frontside A
 Navy Jet 19 Speed
R F
C C
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E T T E

The QB will ride the jet and run a speed path out the back door.
We will block speed on the frontside.
 Downhill Concept Illustrated
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Great Complement to the

Q veer!

• Tailback takes a hard downhill step with his playside foot.

• Her works downhill to the Void
• TB must be prepared to win a 1 on 1 battle with the LB
• OL can incorporate fold schemes to eliminate leverage!
The Option Game From The Pistol

By James Vint
[email protected]