Question for Former Option Backfield

[lonestarjacket]

This question is especially for anyone with firsthand experience either as QB or RB, particularly those running some form of the option.

Fumbles have troubled us this year, and I believe a certain number of fumbles are simply to be expected in an option offense as "the cost of doing business."

But after seeing a successful fake up close I am truly amazed we don't fumble more. In other offenses I have seen fakes that seem to just be the QB reaching out a hand toward a RB. Most aren't very effective or deceptive.

But seeing our QB seemingly handing the ball off completely only to pull it out at the last second makes me wonder why we don't fumble every other fake exchange.

How does that work at full speed? Especially, how does it work when the RB doesn't know it is intended to be a fake in advance?

P.S.
The thing about the option I love is when the fans and camera get faked out as much as the defense. I love that feeling when you realize the ball carrier is sprinting downfield after watching the guy you thought had the ball get tackled.

I loved watching it under Pepper with the WB and loved it in the Flexbone at Rice under Ken Hatfield.

 

[TechinItEasy]

Very, very limited experience running the option, but technically i have participated before as a RB.

Basically what happens is the quarter back puts the ball in the RBs stomach and starts to run forward with him. So they are kind of running together with the ball(this is the "mesh"). When the QB makes his read, he either pulls the ball, or pushes it harder into the RB and then he knows to take it.

At full speed it is ridiculously hard, and it takes 100's of reps to get it right.

 

[kirbee]

Simply stated, the QB sticks the ball in there with slight pressure and reads the DL they are optioning. If the DL crashes on the dive, the QB pulls it. If the DL hesitates, the QB puts pressure on the RB's gut and the RB is taught to grab the ball and not let go. Getting a feel for the pressure is the key. The RB also has the right to just take the ball if he reads an opening, but this takes time for the 2 players to trust each other.

That wasn't very simple was it?

 

[GTJohan85]

Experience as a FB - and we ran the option but it wasn't our 'bread and butter'.

The thing about a true triple-option is that there is no 'fake' hand-off. When properly coached, the play always goes to the FB/B-Back (the first option) if the DE doesn't properly break down on the LOS. In order for this to work, the ball has to be in the FB's gut enough for him not to fumble if he's hit before the QB has made his decision - which is pretty close to 100% in his gut.

 

[JWE37]

This question is especially for anyone with firsthand experience either as QB or RB, particularly those running some form of the option.

Fumbles have troubled us this year, and I believe a certain number of fumbles are simply to be expected in an option offense as "the cost of doing business."

But after seeing a successful fake up close I am truly amazed we don't fumble more. In other offenses I have seen fakes that seem to just be the QB reaching out a hand toward a RB. Most aren't very effective or deceptive.

But seeing our QB seemingly handing the ball off completely only to pull it out at the last second makes me wonder why we don't fumble every other fake exchange.

How does that work at full speed? Especially, how does it work when the RB doesn't know it is intended to be a fake in advance?

P.S.
The thing about the option I love is when the fans and camera get faked out as much as the defense. I love that feeling when you realize the ball carrier is sprinting downfield after watching the guy you thought had the ball get tackled.

I loved watching it under Pepper with the WB and loved it in the Flexbone at Rice under Ken Hatfield.

If the QB reads "dive/give" then he will push the ball into the B-backs gut. The B-back knows to take the ball if he feels the pressure in his gut. If the QB reads "keep", then he will never actually put any pressure towards the B-backs gut.
It is a "feel/pressure" thing between the 2 backs. It does take a lot of practice and chemistry. But its like anything else...once you get it down it becomes habit.