Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/570184
CHALK TALK BRYAN DRISKELL BY BRYAN DRISKELL D efending the triple option has not been easy for Notre Dame in re- cent seasons. The Irish, however, are not alone. Over the past five seasons, upcom- ing opponent Georgia Tech has aver- aged from 299.3 to 342.1 rushing yards per game. Future opponent Navy has averaged anywhere from 278.5 to 338.1 yards per game on the ground. Georgia Tech and Navy finished first and second in the country, respectively, in average rushing yards per game during the 2014 season. Both teams run the triple option. A defense has no bigger ally against the option than its own offense. Scor- ing early and often certainly helps the other side of the ball have time to ad- just to the option. Getting big hits are important and defending the alley of the defense is a must. With all the crack blocks, reverses, wheel routes and bootlegs option teams run, the defense must place a premium on consistently strong communication. Beyond those basics, here are the most important principles to slowing down an option offense: 1. BE DISCIPLINED Discipline is important against any offense, but especially against the op- tion. An option offense is going to have misdirection runs that keep teams from getting directional keys on its run plays. It will run reverses, screens, throwback passes and wheel routes to its slot backs. Remaining disciplined snap after snap against the option can be diffi- cult. Big plays happen for the offense when defenders try to make a play outside the constructs of the defense. Following the football is not quite as important when defending an option offense, at least for the defensive line and linebackers. It is replaced by stick- ing to the pre-snap gap assignment or the responsibility to take a specific player (fullback, quarterback, pitch man, etc). Freelancing or making an error in assignment against an option offense usually results in giving up a big play. Defending The Option Over the last five seasons, Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson's triple-option offense has generated 318.7 yards per game on the ground. PHOTO BY DANNY KARNIK/GT ATHLETICS