Triple Option

More Teams Should Use The Triple Option

The triple option in any formation — split back, “I” formation, double wing or a spread option — works very well.

Definition: The triple option is an American football play used to offer several ways to move the football forward on the field of play. … For the offense, the decision of who is to carry the ball—which option to use—is made during the play by the quarterback (QB). — Wikipedia

Since the 60s, 70s, and 80s, the triple option has increased in efficiency.

This is because teams at every level do not gameplan for it on a daily basis. They only do when they are playing an opponent that frequently uses it. But if you use this formation, there’s no reason you can’t use it all the time.

NFL teams should begin to use this play. Some teams, as in the Titans, use it once in a while. I’m not saying every team should use it.  NFL teams are harder to run this play against because defenders are much faster than those in college teams. If a team has a struggling QB, they should throw in some triple option stuff.

Let’s say you lost your QB through free agency or transfer. But you have a wide receiver or running back that played quarterback previously for high school, college, or the pros (ex: Terrel Pryor). Use that player’s athletecism to make your team better. Give the ball to your playmakers more.

Below is a clip of Army football using the creativity of the triple option to demolish Houston.

Image: Wikipedia. Public Domain.