Read option

Actually defending the read option is not that hard, if your D is prepared and expects to defend it. What the QB is doing is eying the weakside pressure, when the plays runs to the strong side.....as an example. If the weakside DE is sucked into following the RB, the QB keeps the ball and rolls out to the weaksede, and there isn't anybody around to stop him....... if the weakside DE "stays home", then he gives the ball to the RB. That's basically what the read option is all about.

The whole purpose for the read option is keep the front DL guessing.....the biggest problem is....when the DL expects the play..... zeroes in, and takes out both the QB & the ball carrier. Of course the offense demands a flag for unnecessary roughness, but if the DE attacks the QB when his back is turned to the play, he has no idea if the the QB has the ball or not. So at that time he hits the QB as hard as he possibly can. It might draw the flag, but I guarantee if this happens a few times in the game, the QB won't be finishing that game!

But even if there isn't a hit on the QB.....the mere presence of the DE attacking the QB, and only the QB........will render the option read moot. That means, the QB will always has to give the ball away to the RB, knowing that the weakside DE is right behind him ready and willing to cream his butt, if he keeps the ball!