option play
Run or throw
An option play is a football play where the quarterback reads a defender and chooses whether to hand off, keep the ball, or pitch to a trailing back based on that defender's reaction.
The scheme forces one defender to cover two threats, creating a numbers advantage: The triple option kept the defense guessing all game.
Option play also refers more broadly to any strategic situation where someone keeps multiple choices open until the last moment.
- quarterbackPassing position in football
- under centerDirect snap alignment
- fakeNot the real thing
- audibleCapable of being detected by ear
- scrambleMix into disorder
misdirection · pitch · lateral · rollout · bootleg · running back · open field · sweep · read · decision · flexibility · alternative · strategy · derivative · financial instrument · contract · call · put
- football playsslant, counter, draw, sweep, handoff
- sports tacticszone defense, pick, formations, game plan, spacing
- ground gamerunning back, rushing, handoff, fullback, sweep
- backfieldfullback, halfback, quarterback, tailback, running back
- offensive tacticsblitz, raid, rush, sweep, drive
- Risky Playshail mary, fake punt, onside kick, flea flicker, fake field goal
option playset play
Rehearsed tactical sequence
play-action pass · handoff · quarterback sneak · draw play · screen pass
option, play, options, optional, optionally, opt, opts, opted, opting