You are right. Through playing the option all day we discovered that to have the running back equal to or behind the QB to allow the automatic pitch is unrealistic. There were many times where the RB was slightly ahead of the QB because the QB's base was turned at a different angle but the play still looked right.

I updated the rule in this post and I think it plays well.

In this pic #92 has not tackled the QB yet and he is engaged with the lineman so #32 (jennings fig) is eligible to receive the pitch. In this case his bas is behind the QB's. Pursuit has to come from the linebacker #56.

This was taken before the defense angled. Yes Reg you get to react before the pitch but at that time you don't know if the QB will keep or pitch. This way the O gets to read like the real option.

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