Brian Flinn, WR Coach, Princeton
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A summary of the transcript is available below the video.
OPTION ROUTE COACHING SUMMARY
This presentation covers the teaching and installation of option routes, specifically focusing on how to run them effectively against various defensive looks.
BASIC CONCEPT
The route is built with an outside receiver and a tagged player running the option. The receiver has a three-way decision based on defensive alignment: take interior space if available, turn out if walled off, or work to the void if bracketed. The same principles apply to both field and boundary sides, with the route runner reading the playside inside linebacker (Will linebacker).
TECHNIQUE AND FOOTWORK
The receiver motors off the ball to four yards, creating time for the defense to react. If interior space opens, he executes a single jab with his outside foot and speed cuts hard inside. This footwork serves as a communication tool—the quarterback reads the trigger step to know where the ball is going. The emphasis is on being decisive, even if wrong, so the quarterback can anticipate the route direction.
READING THE DEFENSE
The primary read is whether the linebacker drops or matches coverage, giving interior space. When combined with complementary routes like hitch-seam or hitch-fade combinations, this creates favorable one-on-one matchups between the hash marks. The advantage over traditional jerk routes is that the receiver maintains vision on defenders while making full-speed decisions.
AGAINST PRESSURE AND BLITZ
When facing interior pressure or blitz looks (especially in third-and-short situations), the concept remains the same: motor, stick the foot, and attack the vacated interior space. The philosophy is “blitz inside, throw inside”—replacing the blitzers with the throw. This works effectively against man coverage with pressure, as the motor action backs defenders up before cutting into the open space.
KEY COACHING POINTS
Speed and decisiveness at the top of the route are critical. The receiver must stick his foot in the ground clearly to signal direction to the quarterback. After the catch, emphasis is placed on getting vertical immediately between the hash marks—catch, tuck, turn, and break tackles. The route is particularly effective in empty formations and third-and-medium situations (third and three to six yards) where defenses employ man coverage and pressure packages.