Option - Read Key Triple Option

[TGCRequiem]

I'm wondering for those who are effective at running triple option what your read key is on the DE/DT. I've seen some people talk about looking at the outside shoulder, and others say to look at the feet, but I'm struggling. It's especially difficult to read the DT in Midline option feels like I have to commit before the snap to be able to pull the ball and feels like it's always the wrong decision.

What is the best post snap key you're looking at to determine if they're crashing or not? Is it different for DT from DE?

Are there any pre-snap reads you're using or is it all post snap?

In this regard is there pre-snap reads that tell you "commit inside" or audible
to some sort of outside run like Rocket Toss or a non triple option outside run?

I just left my dominant program to take over Navy in our online league (small # of human players) and am trying to get into this triple option thing for fun, but I just don't feel like I'm effective at it right now. I was having a lot of issues with pitching at first, but less use of sprint seems to have mostly solved that.

For reference, most of my play is against CPU with occasional human opponents maybe 2-4 games a season.

Thanks for any tips on how to be more effective.

[GOIRISH65]

I look at shoulders. As soon as they turn I hit the button. I wish I could say I’m good at this. But I’m not. Under center is brutally quick. At best I’m 50-50 which is way too low. I feel like option king ability should have something to do with this instead of pitch but it doesn’t. Veer is better to a 1 tech side so I flip it. Midline happens too fast for me. I was way better at on 14. Right now I run my options mostly out of pistol and gun although I prefer I formation. But flexbone is even tougher I feel.

[pietasterp]

Quote: Originally Posted by GOIRISH65

I look at shoulders. As soon as they turn I hit the button. I wish I could say I’m good at this. But I’m not. Under center is brutally quick. At best I’m 50-50 which is way too low. I feel like option king ability should have something to do with this instead of pitch but it doesn’t. Veer is better to a 1 tech side so I flip it. Midline happens too fast for me. I was way better at on 14. Right now I run my options mostly out of pistol and gun although I prefer I formation. But flexbone is even tougher I feel.

Second this.

I would go as far as to say that the midline/veers where you are reading a DT (as opposed to an end-line man) simply don't work in the game. The slight lag between button input and action on-screen is enough that the split-second timing between seeing a DT go inside and hitting the button is too long, so you don't have enough time to read the DT and also input a decision to hand-off/keep. In order to run these plays, you essentially have to pre-determine your action (hand-off vs keep), which pretty much eliminates the entire point of the play.

With regard to shotgun read-options, I try to wait until the last minute to make a read on the unblocked end-line man, but sometimes the CPU will take 2 steps toward the QB and then stop, and if you read "keep" you're just screwed. For what it's worth, I use the 2-button press technique on read options (I press X once to snap the ball, let go of the button, and then press it again at the last minute to 'keep' the ball if that's my read) and find this is slightly better in my hands at getting the QB to do what I want (vs the 'press-and-hold / release to hand off' method), but there's still a little lag and sometimes I don't get the 'keep' input in in time.

TL;DR: I think the shotgun options work but sometimes the CPU just tricks you and there's nothing you can do. The under-center midlines where you are reading a DT functionally don't work as read/option plays.

[GOIRISH65]

Dead on. Midline doesn’t work w true read bc of lag. Inside veer under center is tough vs. 3-4 odd bc of this too. Also agreed on cpu having fuzzy reads as well as clear cut give keep. They sometimes step down and bait you into keeping and pop back to qb. The button lag is exasperating. I’m decent at option and feel it’s tough in this game. My best option has been pistol power option and triple from split gun. I’d rather be an undercenter I option guy. But it’s so quick and veer is only in I pro. And no outside veer either. But again read near shoulders/hip. Just like real life

[TGCRequiem]

Quote: Originally Posted by GOIRISH65

Dead on. Midline doesn’t work w true read bc of lag. Inside veer under center is tough vs. 3-4 odd bc of this too. Also agreed on cpu having fuzzy reads as well as clear cut give keep. They sometimes step down and bait you into keeping and pop back to qb. The button lag is exasperating. I’m decent at option and feel it’s tough in this game. My best option has been pistol power option and triple from split gun. I’d rather be an undercenter I option guy. But it’s so quick and veer is only in I pro. And no outside veer either. But again read near shoulders/hip. Just like real life

When you say read near shoulders/hip you're looking for them to fade away from the play? Only videos I've seen say to look outside shoulder to see if it turns towards the play. I suppose I shouldn't expect to get a clean read everytime either much as I want to.

[GOIRISH65]

Yes. Shoulders turn in toward you hit the button and pull it.