Pistol: Case 4 – Triple Option Concepts
By Mike Kuchar
Introduction
Since some form of triple option has integrated itself into many programs’ playbooks, so we didn’t find it to be surprising that some coaches were using it from Pistol formations; we were just surprised at the volume of coaches that were implementing it. Originally, triple option concepts such as the veer option, were not even included in our research. We knew teams were using gap and zone principles with at least one variable of single option, but triple option out of the Pistol is in fact here and it’s making it mark. It’s important to note that ALL of the coaches we spoke with for this Case are utilizing the Pistol formation 100 percent of snaps next season. They have bought in, completely to the effectiveness of the Pistol formation.
We did, however, find a discrepancy in teams that are either double option teams (such as read zone or bubble) and triple option teams that include a pitch variant. Nevada was more of the former under previous head coach Chris Ault. The Wolfpack used read zone concepts that were more double option in nature partly because they wanted Colin Kaepernick to keep the ball as much as possible but also because a choice had to be made among the staff whether or not they can do both. “We had to ask the question, do we feel comfortable running the option or do you want our QB to run it,” said Cameron Norcross, the offensive line coach under Ault and now at the same position at Fresno State University. “We weren’t an option team, we were a team that ran the option. The least amount of times that we could pitch the ball the better. We figured we would run load (option) most of the time and block the alley defender. We’d see guys running to the pitch guy, and we would just turn up into the alley.”
We spoke to Bob DeBesse, the former offensive coordinator at perennial FCS power Sam Houston State who is now at the same position at the University of New Mexico. Under DeBesse, New Mexico finished fifth in the country in rushing this past season, averaging 301.3 yard per game. According to DeBesse, the triple concept is more relevant in New Mexico than it was at Sam Houston state due to several reasons. “It’s more so out of necessity and what we can hang our hat on. They (the players at New Mexico) picked it up the quickest. We have a good mechanical QB and he mastered the mesh of the triple. Had a lot to do with the makeup of the entire team. We knew we had to be different and we knew we had to control the football. It was best for us based on our makeup. I was surprised that the inside zone wasn’t the number one run play here as it was at Sam Houston.”
So, to reiterate Coach Norcross’s point is you an option team or do you run option? If you’re either of the two, there is plenty of information below to help.
Pistol Formation Advantages
According to DeBesse, the Lobos will run triple option concepts from all personnel groupings in Pistol except for 10 personnel which is something he believes separates the Lobos from other programs. “I don’t think anybody has gone wholesale with the triple option like we have,” said DeBesse. “Most teams have used zone read schemes and inside zone schemes. The fact that we’ve added a pitch component has made us different.” Much like some of the other downhill run concepts, using veer schemes out of Pistol formations creates that quick hitting mesh game for the dive back, plus the QB could get out of the exchange and see the read quicker. The coaches we spoke with expanded on some benefits of using triple option schemes from the Pistol. Consider the laundry list below of advantages that the Pistol provides, which has helped Brian Sheehan, the head coach at Defiance College (OH) in its veer option game. Sheehan was the former offensive coordinator at Thomas Moore College, which won two Division Three consecutive conference championships in 2008 and 2009. Sheehan told us he is in the Pistol to set up his veer option game, just like other teams are in the Pistol to run their gap, man and zone schemes.
“The best way to run an option based offense is in the Pistol. I’m not saying pure option, because if you’re running midline and veer 90 percent of the time you can win every year and recruit to that every year and be successful. But if you need to throw the ball in critical situations. We want to throw with confidence in third and long, two-minute drill, being behind in games, etc. There are a certain number of fundamentals that need to be mastered to be able to do that.”- Sheehan
“It got us downhill more. It hides the running back. It produces deception on the zone read and the veer option as well. Those linebackers are not going to fly until they determine the directionality of the play. The veer is going to hit a lot quicker than inside zone. Scraping linebackers are no longer a problem and it’s helped our offensive lineman to get to second level.”- Sheehan
“It’s all hitting very quickly with three immediate threats.”- Sheehan
“It gets second level deception and the QB is not giving it away with the first two steps. LB’s cannot get a beat on where he is stepping. It allows us to get past those linebackers,”- Sheehan
“We’re increasing the QB’s comfort in the run game by creating more initial space against unblocked defenders. We’re eliminating the first two steps of the QB. If I’m running veer triple under Center the QB has to step away from the midline, he has to gather and he has to ride the running back into the line of scrimmage. With us, we’re going to catch and pivot so that’s another late indicator of which way the play is going.”- Sheehan
Ralph Isernia, the new head coach at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (NY) also has implemented the Pistol formation full time and tells us about the benefits the QB has in the mesh game for his triple option schemes. “The QB is away from the Center and is at four yards from when he touches the ball,” said Isernia. “He doesn’t need withdrawal steps to push away from the line of scrimmage. It cleans up his reads. When he gets out on the perimeter, he can leverage pitch and pitch it sooner than being under Center. Our QB’s have taken fewer hits on pitches than guys under Center because the play from a Shotgun is a little bit slower in shotgun than under Center. Under Center the play is like a Nolan Ryan fastball, it’s coming right at you. In Pistol it’s like a Mariano Rivera cutter. It looks like a fastball, but it’s got a little more movement to it. It hits slower which allows the running back to have multiple aiming points at the point of attack.”
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As we discussed at length in our Quarters Special report, the Alert and Palms principle was the best answer to 2×2 open formations. That said, we did find another interesting adjustment that could be made to handle four vertical threat in the pass game. Darian Dulin, the defensive coordinator at Abilene Christian University (TX) grew tired of seeing slot receivers get around his outside linebackers and between his Safeties to catch square in routes and skinny posts, which could be an apparent weakness in Quarters Coverage (Diagram 13). So, he adjusted by walking his outside linebackers out further on the number two receiver and play his Safeties closer to the box – essentially, switching their responsibilities (Diagram 14). What resulted was a top ten finish in total defense among all FCS schools in 2012, and a design he calls Cover 8.
One of the more productive, straight forward circuits submitted came from Tunde Agboke the former defensive line coach at Marist College and current Defensive Coordinator at SUNY Cortland. According to Agboke, “It is critical the players on this unit know how to block in space. Thus, we spend a great deal of time doing individual blocking and dropping drills. We use this circuit at least once a week. Once we accomplish that goal, then we come together and run our schemes.
Defensive line play is paramount for overall defensive success. Although there are numerous different ways to teach fundamentals, I always revert back to keeping it as simple as possible. Extraordinary play occurs when great fundamentals are combined with unbelievable effort. The guidelines I use to cover all bases are remembered by the initials “S.A.K.A.”. In order to be a great player, he must have a great 
Our Sprint-Out passing game provides our offense with a safe and efficient way to move the ball with high percentage throws while at the same time allowing us to target our playmakers ( Two CCHS receivers in top 5 in catches in Central Ohio). Anytime we can attack the perimeter and put pressure on the defense, we feel we have successfully created an opportunity for a big play. These are crucial for us to meet our goals of running plays that are both high percentage (70% or better completion percentage) and highly efficient (55% of better efficiency rating).
On the outside zone scheme, it’s important to teach backside hand and shoulder placement in order to seal off any penetration. In order to do this, Hand teaches what he calls the drag hand technique. “As the offensive lineman takes his stretch step to the outside V of the neck, his backside hand placement is the thing that will slow him down enough to catch the 5-technique defender if he slants inside. “The aiming point of the drag hand technique is the backside peck of the defender. That movement will stop the penetration of the defender inside. The Tackle cannot come off the ball with no concern of the defender slanting inside. He uses the drag hand to catch and hold the defender so he cannot penetrate.”
Does this scenario sound familiar? You spend all week studying film, opponent tendencies, drawing plays, teaching your players in the film room and on the field; you have put together what you thought was the perfect game plan only to see your team fall short. The next day you study the film and all you do is ask yourself why did I do this or that? Why were we trying to be something that we are not? Your film session reveals players making mental mistakes and not playing like they are capable of playing. 
Now is the time to refine your Quarterbacks’ mechanics during spring and summer ball so that it becomes muscle memory by the time next season hits. Good QB coaches know that most of the time accuracy issues DO NOT start with the QB’s release. Instead, it is born out of problems with a quarterback’s balance, stride length, and control of the ball. Here is a breakdown:
Introduction