The third type of option that we run is an Outside Veer. The dive path for the outside veer is off tackle.
There are two very distinct styles of Veer (the shorthand name that we give to Outside Veer) that we run. The first style is ‘goal line.’ We identify goal line defenses as any defense that has seven or more men on the line of scrimmage.
In fact, we started practicing the outside veer after scrimmaging a team that played a Gap Air Mirror defense all over the field. We still wanted to run a triple option in those situations, but needed a decent dive gap in which to do it. The C gap proved to be the best space. This type of outside veer returned the fullback dive to our offense, even against goal line defenses like the GAM.
When we see a goal line defense and run Veer, the dive key read is the #4 man, and the pitch key is the #2 man. An illustration is below.
Veer (goal line) Right Vs Gap Air Mirror - B4 is the Dive Key
We had so much success running the Veer against goal line defenses, that we created a variation of it to use against some other defenses. When we see what we call a ‘regular’ defense that nevertheless puts high pressure on the A and B gaps, we like to run a version of the veer that attacks the #2 and #1 defenders, since they have a little less help.
An example of Veer against a ‘double eagle’ 5-3 is illustrated below.
Veer (regular defense) Right vs 53 Double Eagle - E2 Dive Key, C1 Pitch Key
When we run the Outside Veer, we tend to use the point method rather than a ride/decide for the mesh. If the ball is there, our fullback takes it. If it’s not there, he tries to log block the dive key, who has approached him aggressively anyway.
Were you pitch plays called pitches? In other words was your QB deciding to either keep it or pitch it? Same question on the keep options; was your QB reading the dive key as to whether to hand off the ball or keep it?
I really want to run this next year, but I have never ran it before either as a player or a coach, so I am looking for some drills to help the QB with his decision making.
In the 3rd grade, early in the season, our keep/pitch plays were called. I wanted to read the defense myself, take a guess about what they were going to do, and try to help out my QB.
About halfway through the year for 3rd grade our QB started to make his own reads for the keep/pitch. In 5 grade we did the full triple, and he read dive/keep/pitch.
Here’s a grainy video on YouTube from 3rd grade with some explanation about “18 option 38 pitch” which was the called version of the pitch.
option right 38 pitch
So is the main difference between the ISV and the OSC the dive path of the FB? I am planning on running this from the flex formation just because I like it more than the bone. How did you call the play in the huddle. I know the base call as per your playbook is just Option right 44 Dive (Option), but how do you call the OSV.
I am trying to figure this out because a lot of defenses we face have the DT’s line up in the B gaps, with a LB over our OT and a DE to his outside.
Hi Coach,
Several differences actually.
1. QB really has to hurry down the line, and uses point method rather than ride/decide.
2. Yes, FB dive path is at tackle instead of at guard.
3. Tackle blocks down on #4 man (or closest head up man to tackle inside #2.)
4. #2 is the dive key, #1 is the pitch key.
5. PSA goes after #3 or first LB that shows up.
For us, the OSV was just called Veer. So the outside Veer triple was simply Veer Right, or Veer Left. In short – ISV called Option; Midline called Midline; and OSV called Veer.