Triple-Option blocking: As easy as 0,1,2,3. (Football).

YOUNG FOOTBALL coaches often get caught up in the matter of change. They'll hear someone make an intriguing case for a certain idea or philosophy, and they'll immediately begin thinking of change.

Over the years, we have seen football evolve from run to pass and back to run, and from two backs to one back to no backs. I guess I'm a '70s throwback. I played for a Wishbone/Triple Option coach in high school and a Split Back/Veer coach in college. As an offensive coordinator for the past nine years, I have always been tempted to tinker with the triple option. It all goes back to philosophy: Do what you believe in!

At present, we run the Triple Option out of the I formation with a set of four blocking rules that can also apply to the Wishbone, Split Back, or even the more recent Spread set popularized by Georgia Southern.

We number our blocking rules 0, 1, 2, and 3 with the center making 0 and 1 calls and the playside guard making the 2 and 3 calls. To avoid tipping off or giving pre-reads to the defense, we emphasize the importance of "dummy" calls by the backside.

We simplify the backside blocking by using the term "slant pick-up." This tells the backside guard and tackle to step at a hard 45-degree angle and pick up the first opposite colored jersey to cross their face. If nothing shows, they must work vertically downfield to the next level. This will cut off any backside penetration and prevent our running backs from getting tackled for lost yardage.

The first call ("0") is made by the center. It tells the offensive line that our C has a head-up nose guard and will use a base to playside reach technique against him.

Our playside guard's responsibility will be to block the first inside threat or to help secure the playside "A" gap.

If the NG penetrates the playside "A" gap, our playside C will double with the center. If there is no penetration in the "A" gap, the playside G will combo to the backside LB. a our playside T will take the path of least resistance to the playside LB.

The center's second call ("1") tells the OL that the NG is shaded to the playside. This calls for an automatic double-team by our C and playside G. They must create movement to give the QB time to operate his read in the "mesh" zone, with the playside T again veer-releasing to the playside LB.

The third call ("2") is made by the playside G whenever a defensive lineman is inside-shoulder to head-up on him.

The C must step at a hard 45-degree angle to the defender's near hip, while our playside G doubles with him to create a push upfield. Once again, the playside T must veer to the playside LB.

Our last call ("3") indicates that a defender is aligned on the outside shoulder of our playside G. Our C must step playside to secure the "A" gap, then work upfield to the next level. The playside G and T will double-team the defender to get an upfield push.

Against this defensive scheme, we feel it is more important to get the push upfield than to combo or come off to the play-side LB. We tell our players to collapse the three tech into the lap of the playside LB.

Though several other blocking schemes can be used with the Triple Option, we use these four basic schemes year in and year out. They have proved, from their inception, that the pitch is the fastest way to get your speed to the perimeter, while still having the big play threats of your fullback inside and your quarterback off tackle.