OUR TEAM’S SHOT-GUN spread offense has been extremely effective, and we’ve led our league in passing for the past two seasons.

Realizing that our running game is set up by our passing game, we needed to add some new runs from our shot-gun spread formation to force a defense to run more basic schemes.
The 8-man spread option offense is a great method for slowing down an opponent’s defensive line that is committed to stopping the passing attack.

After watching film from both Utah and Florida, I felt that we could implement the shot-gun spread option into our league’s 8-man format. With a few changes from 11-man to 8-man, the staff came up with a great option attack to compliment both our passing and base runs.

As an offense, we spent a minimum of 23 minutes twice a week on the technique and fundamentals of running the option out of the shot-gun spread formation.

Why use the option out of the shot gun spread? There are two reasons why we implemented the option into our offensive package.

1. It allowed us to utilize the talents of our top players, quarterback, fullback and halfback.

2. We realized that 75-percent of the plays we called during a game were pass plays and by using the option, it allowed us to slow down the defensive line’s pass rush and forced them to play assignment football.

Option Attack
In our option, we want to attack the pitch key and force the defender to decide to whether to play the QB or the FB. This allows us to outnumber a defender 2-to-1 at the point of attack and enable our top players to run with the football.

We use two types of Options — the Speed Option with the QB and FB, and 44/45 Option with the QB and HB.

DIAGRAM 1: Shot-Gun Offense — Speed Option Right Vs. 4-1.

Right WR: Stock blocks, attacks the defender’s inside shoulder and forces to the sideline.
Right OG: In an even front, blocks head up to the inside A-gap.
Center: In an even front, blocks backside A-gap.
Left OG: Blocks the backside DE.
Left WR: Stock blocks and attacks the inside shoulder of the Sam LB.
FB: Aligns 5 yards from the LOS with inside foot behind the outside foot of the OG. On the snap, takes a step back and remains in 4-by-4 pitch-relation to the QB.
QB: On the snap, attacks at a 45-degree angle to the outside shoulder of the DE. If the DE attacks, then breakdown and pitch to the FB. If the DE takes the FB, then cut to the inside shoulder and run to the hash, numbers and boundary away from the Mike LB.

DIAGRAM 2: Shot-Gun Offense  Speed Option Left Vs. 3-2-3.



Right WR: Stock block, attack the defender’s inside shoulder and force to the sideline.
Right OG: In an odd front, blocks the backside B-gap to the DE.
Center: In an odd front, attacks the play-side shoulder of the NG and scoot blocks.
Left OG: In an odd front, takes a 45-degree angle toward the outside shoulder of the weak-side LB, forces him inside and scoop blocks.
Left WR: Stock blocks and attacks the inside shoulder of the FS.
FB: Aligns 5-yards from the LOS with inside foot behind the outside foot of the OG. On the snap, takes a step back and remains in 4-by-4 pitch relation to the QB.
QB: On the snap, attacks at a 45-degree angle to the outside shoulder of the DE. If the DE attacks, he breaks down and pitches to the FB. If the DE takes the FB, he cuts inside the shoulder and runs to the hash, numbers and boundary away from the Mike LB.

DIAGRAM 3: Shot-Gun Offense 44 Option Vs. 3-2-3.


DIAGRAM 4: Shot-Gun Offense  45 Option Vs. 4-1.