Option run
Encyclopedia
The option run or option is a designed play in American football
and Canadian football
. In the simplest version of this play, the quarterback
receives the ball and runs either to the right or left, accompanied by an additional offensive player (typically a running back
or a fullback
). As the defense moves to tackle
the quarterback, the quarterback may choose to laterally pass
the ball to his accompanying player. If the defense moves to engage that accompanying player, the quarterback may keep the ball and thus advance it himself. This gives the quarterback the option of two different actions during a run.
The option run may be made more complicated by adding additional players (usually another accompanying player), blocking schemes, or feints.
The option offense
heavily features the option run and many different variations of the play.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
and Canadian football
Canadian football
Canadian football is a form of gridiron football played exclusively in Canada in which two teams of 12 players each compete for territorial control of a field of play long and wide attempting to advance a pointed prolate spheroid ball into the opposing team's scoring area...
. In the simplest version of this play, the quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
receives the ball and runs either to the right or left, accompanied by an additional offensive player (typically a running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
or a fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
). As the defense moves to tackle
Tackle (football move)
Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....
the quarterback, the quarterback may choose to laterally pass
Lateral pass
In American football, a lateral pass or lateral, officially backward pass , occurs when the ball carrier throws the football to any teammate behind him or directly next to him...
the ball to his accompanying player. If the defense moves to engage that accompanying player, the quarterback may keep the ball and thus advance it himself. This gives the quarterback the option of two different actions during a run.
The option run may be made more complicated by adding additional players (usually another accompanying player), blocking schemes, or feints.
The option offense
Option offense
The option offense is a generic term that is used to describe a wide variety of offensive systems in American football. Option offenses are characterized as such due to the predominance of option running plays employed in these schemes. Option offenses have traditionally relied heavily upon running...
heavily features the option run and many different variations of the play.