Shotgun Spread Option

The Shotgun Spread Option is one of most recognized and sought after offenses in college football. By spreading the defense out with four and five receiver sets, the defense is forced to adjust their personnel based on what the offense has on the field. Most teams do not have linebackers who have the speed to keep up with those receivers; this forces them to bring in smaller defensive backs. Even if the defense has the linebackers with speed, most do not have the coverage skills required to cover receivers all game long. By having smaller defensive backs in the game, it opens up more running options, especially inside. This often forces the defense sit out it’s more experience defenders and force them to bring in less experience defenders.

For the Shotgun Spread Option to work successfully, it requires a QB who has the speed to run the option, but also has the ability to throw the ball. Having these to abilities allows Spread Option limit the effectiveness of the blitz.

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Illinois Shotgun Spread Offense Scheme

The first play we want to show from the Shotgun Spread Option scheme is the QB Choice. In this play, the QB has the option to hand the ball off to the HB running to the left, or he can keep it and go to the right.

Each one of the four plays we show from our scheme has the TE sent in auto-motion to the right. When he gets near the RT, the ball will be snapped.

If the defensive line was to shift to the right side, we normally would hand it off to the HB. We also must look at the linebackers to how they line up.

We generally like to keep the ball and run to the same side as the TE.

If nothing opens up outside, we can run up inside.

We pick up 7 yards before being tackled.

PA QB Choice

The second play we want to show works off of the QB Choice. We actually like this play better than the QB Choice because not only can we run, but we also can pass the ball. The play is run the same way as the QB Choice. The ball can either be handed off to the HB, run by the QB, or thrown by the QB. That's what makes this play so much more effective than the QB Choice.

The only pre-snap adjustment we make is to hot route the SL1 (Y) and FL (B) on streaks. We clear room out for the two underneath routes run by the SE (X) and SL2 (A).

The TE is sent in auto-motion to the left

Once the ball is snapped, he will act as if he is going to pass block.

He then will run a flat route to the right.

Watch to see if man coverage is called. If it is called, look to see if the TE is open. In some cases, he will be open in the flat for a quick hitter.

If he is not open, look for the SE running the crossing route.

We spot him open and throw a bullet pass his way.

We make the catch for a 20 yard catch.

QB Draw

The QB Draw is a pretty effective run play against the right defense. The only thing we would like to see with this play is the receivers being sent on streaks. It would make this play even more effective.

The same auto-motion is used. The TE is sent to the left.

The QB drops back as if he is going to pass the ball.

The QB then takes off and runs. The HB becomes the lead blocker.

We run up inside and pick up positive yardage.

Speed Option

Of the four plays we have shown with auto-motion, the speed option is the one we run the least. Mainly because it's very hard to pick up postive yardage.

We run the ball to the outside with the QB. The HB stays behind our QB.

As the QB is about to be tackled ...

... we pitch the ball to the HB.

We make the catch and run down the side line. Keep in mind this play is very hard to pick up any postive yardage with as the defense does a good job of keeping contain.

Slant Outside

The last play we want to look at from our Shotgun Spread Option Scheme is the Slot Outside. Keep in mind that any play will work from this formation.

We take control of the TE and motion him ...

... to the left. We do this to make it look like he has been sent in auto-motion. In order for us to sell this to our opponent, we must do the same in the first four plays we show in this write up. Otherwise our opponent will know this not one of those four plays.

Our two passing options are the SL2 in the flat or the FL running the curl.

We throw to the FL as he curls back.