Previewing Air Force: The Triple Option Attack
by ccmachine on Sep 15, 2010 10:36 AM CDT
in Oklahoma Sooners Football
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Just in case you didn't know. The triple option offense is exactly what it sounds like. On any given play the offense has three options to run the football based on how the defense reacts. Once the quarterback receives the ball from the center he can hand it to the fullback, the halfback or just keep it himself. Its an offense that is designed to pound and wear out a defense, control the time of possession and to eventually turn three and four yard runs into thirty and forty yard runs. Its also an offense that Air Force runs to perfection.
There was a time when no one ran the triple option better than the Oklahoma Sooners. By placing some of the nation's best athletes in the backfield and attacking the edges with their speed the Sooners rode the wishbone attack to three national championships from 1974 - 1985.
While the wishbone is the traditional way to run the option attack it certainly isn't the only way. Regardless of the formation it is run from the triple option is run the same way and forces the defense to worry about which of the three threats is going to carry the ball. The key to running it successfully is the quarterback's read on the defensive end. If the end pinches down then the quarterback is going to keep the ball and take it to the edge. If the blocking is done right then there should only be one defender left there and he'll have to decide to go after the quarterback or to take the pitchman. If he chooses the pitchman then the QB keeps it and heads up field. If the defender goes for the quarterback then the pitch is made to the running back.
Now, if the defensive end decides to come upfield or directly at the quarterback then the QB will simply hand the ball to the fullback for a straight ahead dive play. Of course there are other variations such as misdirections and something that Air Force does well is to start out like a triple option play but just run a straight dive or sweep or something along those lines as well as the play-action pass.Other formations that the triple option is ran from are the veer, I-formation and even the spread.
Through their first two games of the season Air Force has been dominant with their option attack. They currently have the nation's leading rushing attack with an eye popping 423 yards per game on the ground and are seventh nationally in scoring with an average of 50 points per game. Quarterback Tim Jefferson has carried the ball 17 times this season for 97 yards (5.7 YPC) and three touchdowns. In the backfield both fullback Jared Tew and halfback Asher Clark have carried the ball 30 times each. Clark has sprung for 205 yards (6.8 YPC) and a score while Tew has gone for 142 yards (4.7 YPC)
When Jefferson does connect on a pass its usually for a big play. Kevin Fogler (2) and Kyle Halderman (3) are the only two players on the team with more than one reception but they are averaging 33.5 and 22 yards per reception respectfully. Jefferson has passed for 247 yards three touchdowns and an interception through the first two games of the season.
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Defensive assignment and tackling are key
There won’t be a lot of opportunities to get sacks or pressure the QB so it’s assignment football. The DT’s & LB’s must stop the dive play and Beal and Alexander must control the edge. I think the Sooner team speed will match up well, but big plays are a potential if there is poor tacking. We must punish the QB when he runs and affect his decision making process through being physical. A phone call to coach Switzer might be in order this week to help prepare, huh?
Air Force
uses what has become known as the “Flex-bone” There is usually a fullback behind the QB and the RB are split off to the side, but one RB (or both) may be in a “wing” position just to the outside and behind the Off. Tackle.
But Air Force also will line up in the I as well as the stacked I (all 3 in a row)
Air Force runs a lot of motion. with one RB going from the wing to the back field or from the back field to the wing. From there they now have a blocker on the edge, or they can bring that wing guy around in a sweep to carry the ball.
From the wing position the RB is now in effect a split end for pass plays as well.
The key to stopping this is to play sound assignment football. Like returning kicks and punts, you have to stay in your “area” and know who your guy is. The real key now days is not the read on the Defensive End, rather on the outside Linebacker. Which direction he moves wither crashing down and outside (hand to the fullback), crashing down and inside (out side looking to pitch to RB), or dropping back in a zone is now more key (outside options) than the read on the Defensive End. In the old days it was the DE, but also in the old days everyone ran the Oklahoma 52 which was a 3-4 but the outside guys were actually in a down lineman stance.
AFA will want to get their players in one on one situations, and hope the OU guy misses. Watch how OU uses it’s safeties. If they come up a lot to stop the run, you now have pass plays open up with no one deep if the Corners get beat.
Here’s a great YouTube video from 09 on the Air Force Flexbone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38hc2wwLSr4
(ran the Wishbone then the Option-I all through Jr. High and High school)
Colorado Rockies correspondent at My Team Rivals (www.mtrmedia.com/rockies) and my own site Rockies Reporter (www.rockiesreporter.wordpress.com)
Air Force runs it better I think, mostly because they use many more different looks and formations.
Ga. Tech runs more of a double wing flex-bone. and it far more basic.
That said…due to the recruiting limitations with a military academy I think Ga. Tech has far better athletes.
Ga. Tech’s O: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XO4ZsTTiFb4&feature=related
Colorado Rockies correspondent at My Team Rivals (www.mtrmedia.com/rockies) and my own site Rockies Reporter (www.rockiesreporter.wordpress.com)
If they throw so little,
Would it Be possible to leave two safetys over the top, stack 9 in the box, and play run everytime? In madden/NCAA I run the triple o since no defense in the game handles that well, unless they run a goal line look. I realize that video games are not real life, but it would seem, with the linebackers y’all have you could pull that off.
Kendall Hunter for Heisman
by AUKingOState on Sep 15, 2010 1:04 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I've seen Air Force
shred teams through the air especially if the Corners don’t cover the Wide outs. or if the Safeties constantly stay in the box and don’t get back. Now, I’m not sure if this current team/players can actually do that.
Like the OU teams of old…they may not pass that much, but when they do it can hurt..cause you aren’t ready for it.
Colorado Rockies correspondent at My Team Rivals (www.mtrmedia.com/rockies) and my own site Rockies Reporter (www.rockiesreporter.wordpress.com)
What d would you put against it?
I was thinking either a 5-2 or a 3-5-3 stack. Do you have more faith in your linebackers or your d line?
Kendall Hunter for Heisman
by AUKingOState on Sep 15, 2010 2:19 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
For OU
I’d run a 3-4-4..and move the Strong Safety in an out, and hope he doesn’t make the wrong read too often . I’d rather give up the bomb, cause with a long pass, they still have to catch it, even if they get open deep.
Colorado Rockies correspondent at My Team Rivals (www.mtrmedia.com/rockies) and my own site Rockies Reporter (www.rockiesreporter.wordpress.com)
I did read today
That their starting RB Asher Clark missed practice on Tuesday and could miss the game with an ankle injury. Plus we know about the injury issues with the FB Tew.
"Ronnell is a freak of nature. Anybody that big, powerful and fast shouldn't be allowed on the field. That's Ronnell. You saw in the Kansas game when he knocked that guy out, he changed the whole game."
if that is the case
changing QB’s does not bode well for the Triple-O. In that offense timing is everything. Even worse when you have to change an option QB in the middle of the game due to injury. Their offense does indeed concern me but I think we can go score for score on them, hope for a turnover on their part and gain the upper hand. Triple-O doesn’t work well in a come from behind game by say 21pts.
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