Mastering The F Lead Read Option - Corliss X's Blog

Corliss X's Blog

Mastering The F Lead Read Option

Posted on July 15, 2013 at 09:50 PM.

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The F Lead Read Option

The Pistol is one of the hottest Offenses and Formations to use on any level including the NFL--most importantly the NFL. NCAA Football 14 has just learned how set up the blocking scheme and dynamics of the play! This play is quite powerful due to the Read Option innovations added to NCAA Football 14. Today, I will discuss the play, how to use it and relate it back to the NFL and College Football today.

What is The F Lead Read Option?

The F Lead Read Option is exactly what the name entails. The F Lead portion means that there will be a lead F-Blocker or a basic H-Blocker. He is the leading blocker on the play thus F Lead. Now the Read Option is obviously a simple Pistol Read Option; it is a one read which means the DE or LB is read by the QB.

Pistol - Slot Flex Wing

Pistol - Slot Flex Wing - F Lead Read Option

Look at the F Lead Read Option and locate the pulling TE or FB coming around! The belief of the play is:

The TE will pull PASS the DE the QB is reading
The TE will block the next man up field (normally a LB)
The QB will read the DE
QB will pull the ball if the DE crashes on the RB
QB will hand off to RB if DE goes after QB

This play is powerful because the opponent normally will confuse the TE or FB for a block on a split and believe the play is an Inside Zone! The opponent may not notice the read going off.

Why the Slot Flex Wing Formation?

I recommend using this formation because it is easy to make the read with a faster TE blocking. The TE can be used for a receiver on a quick pass or a good PA play. There is a simple balance and symmetry in the formation which I always want.

Relating to real life

Teams, whether NFL or College, have been using this play to get heavy yardage throughout the pass football season. I'm going to show you some GREAT examples of how powerful this play is! NOTE: These are still F Lead Options but out of different sets or formations or different personnel groups. I'll surely show the formations and plays from NCAA Football 14 for optimal viewing and comprehension experience!

Let's First take a look at Chris Ault's, the creator of the Pistol Offense, F Lead Option ran by Cody Fajardo against Arizona in the 2012 New Mexico Bowl!

Example:

Look at the formation first! This is a run-first look Nevada's Offense is giving. This is a simple Wing Trips TE formation. Here's a look from NCAA Football 14:

Pistol - Wing Trips TE

Now mind you this a run-first play. So the defense knows this coming, and they even audible Pre-Snap! Yet, they are unable to defend the play! Why? The execution, formation and perfect read by the QB. It's a no brainer what Nevada does -- they run the ball! Good! Yet, time and time again opponents aren't able to stop it.

Arizona has EIGHT men in the box! That's super run support defense. Notice, it is also 2nd & 7 with 10-point up Nevada which means there is probably a 79% chance of a run. Yet, Arizona is still not able to thwart their power Read Option. Look how the play unfolds:

Cody Fajardo, Nevada's QB, is keeping his eyes down field and reading the DE or in this case a LB Hybrid. While the TE from the opposite of the field is pulling a giving a lead block on the next crashing defender!

Cody Fajardo continues with the read and pulls the ball because the defender does not crash down to the RB. (The scary part is the read was made and the defender was blocked) The TE is now pulling and has his eyes down field to give a block on the next Arizona Wildcat he sees.

Look how the TE gives a HUGE SMACK BLOCK on the crashing defender giving the QB an easy open running lane to the oustide. Also, realize the running back is churning down field ready to block any Arizona defender he sees. That's PERFECT execution and the rest is history.

Here's the full play and the play on NCAA Football 14 (Ignore the motion):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMJii...ailpage#t=492s

Pisto - Wing Trips TE - F Lead Option with MTN

Secondly, let's take a look at Colin Kaepernick, a QB that mastered the Pistol Offense, F Lead Option ran against The Green Bay Packers in the 2012!

Example 2:

First this is a simple look. This is the Pistol - Weak Slot or simply Weak formation with a Lead Read Option. Notice how the defense is lined up in a 2-4 front. This means a lot of support on the run with faster LB's i.e. Clay Matthews. The Packer's are thinking run or maybe some PA.

Pistol - Weak Slot - Lead Read Option

Simple right?

The 49er's motion their TE/FB hybrid, Delanie Walker (who sadly doesn't play for them anymore), over by the QB, Colin Kaepernick, to lead the option.

See how the QB's eyes are up field reading the DE or LB in this case eyes and moves?!!?! That's perfect. And Delanie Walker is now churning up field to block the first Packer he sees.

Now the QB has made the proper read and can now churn up field. Meanwhile, Delanie is properly blocking the defender by sealing him!! Perfect kick out Block!!

Now this where the NFL separates from College. Colin Kaepernick is obviously going to out run the D but look how Delanie Walker is STILL blocking! That's purely execution and selflessness post-snap! Hopefully you can run this play and get the same effort out of your FB/TE or linemen. Stay Reading.

Here's the whole play @00 : 58 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=RWQTuTnzHnM