Maximizing Practice Time in an Option Offense

By Head Coach Al Wolski -Reading H.S., Reading, PA Challenge

Whenever we mention to another coach that we're an Option team, the first response we usually receive is "how do you find the time to teach and practice all the reads, steps and blocking schemes in an Option oriented offense". This of course is our greatest challenge.

Meeting the Challenge

1. Fortunately in Pennsylvania we can work with our players in the off-season. So we try to do most of our teaching of steps, ball handling and reads during the spring and summer. So when we put on the pads we can get the maximum number of repetitions. 2. We produce video cut-ups of all of our Option plays and make a copy for each player to view on his own. 3. We meet with the various position groups and watch film as a unit, coaching the finer points of each play. 4. We video tape all practice repetitions for the coaches to analyze. During the next practice we will be sure to correct any mistakes we noticed whether they be in the blocking, mesh, or speed of execution. 5. When official practice starts in August, we do several things to maximize the repetitions we get. A) During the kicking game portion of practice, our players and coaches who are not involved in that particular portion of the kicking game are involved in a period we call "relaxed teach". During this time I will do one of several drills. One day I may take the QB's and any available FB's and work a mesh drill or set up a defense and work a live read drill off the dive read. B) We can also expand this by adding a HB and drilling our second read. During this time I will stand behind the offense and tell the defense where to line up and what to do. Sometimes we will add a guard and a tackle on offense to give it a more realistic look. Getting maximum repetitions is not our main goal as we get a chance to teach and discuss what they may see later in practice (i.e. blitzes, fast/slow play techniques or changes in responsibility). Other times we can bring our receivers and work our passing game off of our base Option, emphasizing why we would run a particular pass. This period helps in-season because we don't have time for pre-practice meetings to discuss these things, and we despise on-field meetings during our precious hour and ten minutes of offensive practice. C) It is rare for our QB's to go both ways. So during defensive team, I will grab a FB who isn't getting defensive reps and work one or two quick mesh or read reps with them or grab a running back and work a bad-pitch drill or work on a motion timing drill. 6. The single most important factor responsible for our success in practicing our Option offense is a drill we call "1/2 Line Drill". Everyone in our program truly believes in this drill. It goes like this: A) Simply explained it's two 1/2 line drills conducted simultaneously. B) The goal is to get as many repetitions versus a variety of defensive looks as possible. Therefore we do not huddle up between plays - we simply call out the play (our cadence and motion are built into the series called). The Option responsibilities and defensive alignments are dictated according to a script and given to the defensive players by either the offensive coaches or the scout team coaches. These are based on scouting reports on the upcoming opponents. C) Our backside blocking is zone or scoop so we don't feel that it's as vital to practice as playside blocking, ball handling or reads. We will get some reps in later in practice on backside when we go to our Option misdirection period. D) All coaching is done "on the fly" because as soon as the right side runs a rep, the left side should be set and ready to go. The coaches move to either side and call the play. E) We will change formations about every five minutes and run our Options and PA passes. F) "1/2 Line Drill" lasts for 15 or 20 minutes and we try to get a repetition run every 30 seconds. There's no way we'd get 30 or 40 reps in if we ran 11 on 11 with a huddle. G) After one side runs a rep they immediately get set for the next rep while the opposite side is running their next play. H) Defensive coaches align behind the defense and coach them up, then move to the other side. Defensive alignments and responsibilities can be changed according to the script.

Maximizing Practice Time in an Option Offense

By Head Coach Al Wolski -Reading H.S., Reading, PA 25 Minute Line Drill 13 minutes - defensive coaches switch after sides after each rep is run
To the left side of ACE To the right side of ACE

Offensive coaches align behind the group that is running then switch to the other group (set and ready.) If a coach is making a correction, make it while the other group is running their play. Plays to be run: Plays to be run: 17 Elmo + 17 Elmo Lead 18 Elmo + 18 Elmo Lead 17 Big Bird (w/ Rex & Leo) 18 Big Bird (w/ Rex & Leo) 33 Give + 31 Quick + 33 Trap 34 Give + 32 Quick + 34 Trap

Next 6 minutes
Loco 17 to the left side of ACE Rambo 18 To the right of ACE

Plays to be run: 17 Elmo + 17 Big Bird 33 Give + 31 Quick + 33 Trap

Plays to be run: 18 Elmo + 18 Big Bird 34 Give + 32 Quick + 34 Trap

Next 6 minutes
To the short side of TWINS To the right of TWINS

Plays to be run: 17 Elmo + 17 Elmo Lead 17 Big Bird

Plays to be run: 18 Elmo + 18 Elmo Lead 18 Big Bird