MECHANICS in the Drop Option.

It all must start with the QB making the correct option read on the LOS 

THOUGH THE DROP OPTION is one of the most elementary plays in football, its specific mechanics are often overlooked at the lower levels of the game.

Like most double options, the drop option focuses on defeating the outside pursuit and enveloping the perimeter as quickly as possible. It works best when used in conjunction with other option schemes having a dropback passing game.

Because of the unique footwork of the trailing fullback and the mechanics of the quarterback, we generally run the drop option out of an I formation. It can, however, be run out of a multitude of spread formations with minor adjustments in the blocking.

Regardless of the formation, the trailing back must maintain the proper relationship with the QB on every execution. He must be approximately four years deep and four yards outside of the QB while the option read is being identified.

Defensive Numbering

For the drop option to fully develop, the QB must be able to make the correct option read on the line of scrimmage. He must count the defenders from the inside out, starting with the man located directly over the center. He must determine whether he is on or off the LOS.

If the defense is a stack configuration, the QB must count the defender nearest center as zero. In Diag. 1, this man would be the M. The T would then be 1; the S, 2; and the TE, 3.

Quarterback Reactions

The tactics used by the drop option key will usually dictate the reactions of the QB to the perimeter. One of the most common strategies of the key defender is to crash as the offensive end releases. He will try to disrupt the timing of the QB read--force a poor read or a quick pitch.

This is why it is so important for the trailing back to be ready for the pitch as soon as the QB comes out of his drop mechanics.

On the snap, the pitchman must maintain eye contact with the QB until the QB pitches the ball or covers it and moves upfield.

Another common reaction of the option key is to feather or float along the LOS, enabling him to cover both the QB and pitchman.

When this occurs, the QB must attack the option key's inside shoulder, forcing him to make a decision--either tackle the QB or mirror one of the other potential ball-carriers.

If the defender continues to float to the out-side, the QB must be ready to tuck inside and run (Diag. 2).

Drop Mechanics

Our drop mechanics are closely patterned after those utilized by Jerry Berndt, offensive coordinator at the U. of Missouri (Diag. 3).

Upon taking the snap, the QB steps straight back with the option-side (right) foot, then plants his other (left) foot directly beside the first foot, so that both feet are parallel and vertical under the shoulders.

While doing this, the QB brings the ball up to the middle of his chest with both hands, so that the elbows rest on his rib cage, with the hands and elbows forming an upside down "V" with the ball at the apex, the knees slightly bent, the head up, and the hips down.

At this point, the QB hesitates for a full second to freeze the LBs and secondary defenders--get them thinking pass.

After the full-second pause, the QB snaps his head toward the option key and pushes off with the inside of his left foot (Step 2) and then leads with his right foot (Step 3) at a 15-degree angle toward the option area at full speed.

While running with the ball, the QB keeps moving across his chest with six-inch clearances. This enables him to run with the ball more naturally than he could have had he compressed the ball against his chest, thus restricting his upper-body movement.

Approach and Pitch Mechanics

As the QB moves to the option area, he must control his body enough to decelerate his speed upon approaching a point approximately two and a half to three yards from the option key.

He does this by lowering his center of gravity, keeping his head up, chopping his stride (short quick steps) and maintaining eye contact with the option key until ready to pitch the ball.

As a general rule, the QB should never get closer than a yard from the option key before releasing the ball.

Because of the option key's reactions, the QB should release the ball with a vigorous push of his arm out and away from his body.

For the ball to carry, the QB must maintain a loose wrist and snap the fingers through the ball on the release.

The tailback can establish a good pitch relationship with the QB by using a counter-step technique that mirrors his blocking pattern on standard drop-back pass protection to the back side.

As you can see in Diag. 4, the tailback jab-steps in the opposite direction on the snap--allowing the fullback to get in front of the ball-carrier and to block to the perimeter. You can see this block in Diag. 5.

Blocking

We generally use combo blocking in the drop option, with the alignment dictating the particular combo block used by the linemen. The fullback also has rules for targeting the defenders for the drop-option, based on perimeter or interior responsibilities.

His responsibilities will largely depend on the tight end's blocking perimeters. One of the fullback's basic rules is to leave the best defender on or near the LOS unblocked. See Diag. 5.

Blacking Rules for the Fullback

When the tight end releases, the fullback has interior blocking responsibilities. This usually occurs when the defense is aligned with a shade to the center, a 3-technique to the playside guard, and a 9-technique to the tight end.

In this case, the fullback will target the Sam LB or the areas outside the playside tackle. See Diag. 5.

If the tight end stays in to block, the fullback will assume perimeter responsibility to the alley. This may occur whenever the DE plays a 7-technique to the playside (Diag. 6) or whenever a split-edge defense is encountered (Diag. 7).

In Summary

This is a brief outline of how we use the drop-option against specific defensive fronts, and how we execute the mechanics of blocking and backfield patterns.

As always, there may be better ways of executing this particular style of option, but we prefer to stick to what we know. It has been good to us.