How to Stop the Option

Snap to the Q. He sprints to the right, instantaneously scans the defense as he is hit. At virtually the same time he pitches to the fullback. Quick cut to the left, he darts through the hole and rips off 55 yards. How often have you seen it? How many times has it left you pacing the sidelines, shaking your head and clipboard? It’s the ageless option pitch/run. How do you stop it? What options does a coach have? AFM contacted a number of high school and college coaches and posed those questions. We found a wide range of opinions on everything from the best fronts to employ, to what they rate as the key defensive positions, to the most important physical attributes for defensive players. Some of their answers might surprise you. Minority Opinion One coach we talked to seemed invested in the old theory that the best defense is a better, much better, offense. Tony DeMeo is entering his