Terry Metcalf knows opponents will fear his Renton High School team's outside speed when the team is in a veer option offense.
Metcalf built the team's offense around the veer when he started coaching at the Washington state school and is likely to return to the offense in the future, depending on personnel.
To be able to hurt teams on the outside, veer teams have to first be effective with the inside dive game.
"You have to establish the inside game," said Metcalf, one of the NFL's top all-purpose threats during five seasons as a running back with the St. Louis Cardinals and one with the Washington Redskins. "When you have speed, everyone's going to want to be sitting outside.
"Establishing the inside game makes the defense more vulnerable."
Metcalf took us step-by-step through each player's responsibilities in an inside veer triple option run to the right side of a split back pro right formation (flanker and tight end right, split end left).
Flanker: Come down and take the man on, usually the corner.
Tight end: He is responsible for the most dangerous man (MDM) in terms of stopping the outside option read when the quarterback does not hand off. He takes an arc release, looking for the MDM, usually the linebacker on him. We're not blocking the end, but he's usually trying to widen out so as not to get hooked.
Right tackle: He's looking to seal the inside linebacker. We want to get to the linebacker as fast as we can.
Right guard: He's taking man on. Depending on if the defensive tackle has an outside shade, we might give him help with a double team. If (the defensive tackle) pinches down hard inside, the dive man doesn't get the ball.
Center: In an even front, he steps to the weak-side tackle and goes for the weak-side linebacker. In an odd front, the center has to block the nose.
Left guard: Helps with down-field blocking. Shield their man, make him go outside, then get to the next level.
Left tackle: Helps with down-field blocking.
Split end: Angle inside to keep the corner out of the play.
Fullback (strong side in split back): He heads into the line ready to take the ball if the quarterback leaves it in his belly on the dive read. His aim for the point of attack is the outside leg of the guard. He's reading the defensive tackle because if the tackle goes out, he knows he should be getting the ball.
Halfback (weak side in split back): He becomes the pitch man. He's reading the end and making sure to keep a five-yard relationship with the quarterback, trailing him by about a yard.
Quarterback: The quarterback can do any of three things depending on what he sees. He can hand off to the dive back, in which case carrying his fake down the line is essential. Part of the mystique of the option is the quarterback needs to be a good actor. If he does not hand off, the quarterback is reading the end to decide whether to turn up field and keep or pitch to the trailing back. He must have two hands on the ball while reading the tackle. If (the tackle) starts across the line or steps back, anything but pinching down, he gives to the dive back. If not, he runs the option, reading down the line.
Story courtesy of Red Line Editorial, Inc.