Nailing down the Option for the College Bowl Series

[Reginald Rutledge]

Eric, Dave, and Mike,

I think we are gonna go with whatever you guys come up with as far as the option play is concerned. If this can be re-visited, it will be put in the rulebook and it can be closed.

Walk me through this. I need an "Option Play for Dummies" walkthrough. However, one interesting twist I would like to add in that option play (at least on the QB running part) is a higher degree of injury if an option QB takes off.

This was something proposed in the DFW and ACEFL because the reality is that everytime a QB takes off on a scramble/run, the percentages of him getting his head cracked open becomes higher than standing in the pocket and making a throw.

This was pointed out to ACEFL and DFW coach Mark Villanueva. This is definitely something that will be put into play in the CBSMF. However, for what I need, I just need to know the basics of what you guys want to claim as an option.

I will just listen/read and once a final "wording" is determined, we can put that in the rulebook and close that chapter.

Reg

[Hook'em Horns]

I will break it down again here on the site. However, I wanted to chime in on that injury thing. We have 3-3 & 4-4 for injuries on the dice just as we do 5-5 & 6-6 for penalties. If you increase the odds of injury you would also have to increase the odds for defensive penalties as well. There have been late hits on the QB, illegal head shots, blows while sliding and blows out of bounds on option QB's. So we have to be fair both ways. Also injuries are more prevelant for running QB's on the pro level than on the college level. On the college level pocket QB's are more likely to get injured. Vince Young ran the option at Texas for 3 years and his most significant injury was a wrist injury. We have to understand that in college you have the option of running out of bounds and sliding. We don't have that option in EFL becuase the defense controls the switch once past the line of scrimmage. So that is my opinion on that...


I will repost the option scenario later. We can demonstrate it in california before the start of the tournament. If I had a camera I could show it.

[kotixblack]

After re-examining what Mike had written in response to Dave & me on the option...I agreed with Mike about the QB having to keep, or pitch on the option play. He could also use one of his scrambles (1 alotted each qtr) if he wanted to pass, or adjust the QB to run in another direction. I will type out the whole option scenario later. As far as the QBs chances of getting injured on a keeper...I don't like it. Here in L.A. our fumble rule really helps out with QB scrambles, and I think it would even the playing field on the option.

Fumble rule: If the offensive player is knocked down by a defensive player or vice versa, it is a fumble...the box is shaken to see who recovers. If both players fall from a collision, the offense maintains posession at the point of the tackle. If the offensive player knocks over a defender, it is a broken tackle...the defender can be picked up after the offensive player advances the ball 10 yds passed the los.

I think that by giving the D an chance to angle on the option can create more opportinities for fumbles. I would rather take the chance of physically knocking that back or QB down and making him think twice about coming around that corner. I like the box eventhough it bites me in the azz most of the times, which is why I don't shake it unless my position in the game makes me, or allows me to. Just my humble opinion.

[Reginald Rutledge]

If you don't increase the opportunity to have an injury, the QB will lead your team in rushing. Now that may happen in some offensive schemes in college football but I would definitely like to see guys be able to show off their aptitude of matriculating down the field with the forward pass.

It just makes sense to me that the QB out on the edge can have an injuries happen. Mike, Vince Young is an anomaly. He's a once-in-a-lifetime freak who defies the standard odds. But for your average QB running out on the edge, the chance of suffering from an injury is much greater. I don't have scientific evidence but to me, it seems a no-brainer.Reg

[Hook'em Horns]

There are a large number of D-1 programs that use the option as their primary focus. I just used Vince because he was the first that came to mind. Even more so now-a-days where college teams are recruiting the running QB. Teams like...Nebraska w/ Frazier & Crouch, Texas w/ Vince, VT w/ Vick and other schools like Navy and Florida who used Tebow to run when they had Leak as well as LSU, Oregon, West Virginia and others. Very few QB's get hurt runnig the option in college as oppossed to the pro's.

My main point was this...The defense runs the switch so the QB doesn't have the option to slide or run out of bounds to avoid contact so it would be unfair to factor that in when he is not given the options to avoid contact. I also feel that if you increase the chance of injuries that you should also increase the chances of a defensive penalty. Such as what I stated in the 1st message above. I would be ok with it this way but I like Mark's rule more for our pro league than I do for the CBSMF. I understand the arguement about passing your way down the field but we have to make this league feel like college football!

[wolverine]

reg check your PM

Mike, Eric here is a boiler plate...correct it or make changes where necessary. I also included a halfback pass.

On the option play the O has the switch at the start of the play, when he stops the switch:

1. The pass clock starts and;

2. He passes the ball down field to an identified receiver or running back. If the pass is complete the defense adjusts all unengaged players to pursue the receiver. If the pass is incomplete the play is dead. If he chooses not to pass the ball the play progresses as in item 3 below;

3. He tells the defensive coach to adjust (when the D adjusts the pass clock stops just like on a scramble and the D gets 15 seconds)

After the defensive coach adjusts the play resumes. At this point the Offense decides to:

1. Let the QB keep the ball or;

2. Pitch the ball (automatically) to a RB that is within 5 yards of, whose base is not completely past the QB with a clear (unblocked) path to the QB. (If his base is completely past the QB there is no automatic pitch, you should have thrown it in step 2 above)

3. At this point the defense gets the switch.

If the QB keeps or the ball is pitched the D angles again after a ten yard gain.


Trick play Halfback pass:

One (1) time per game the Offense has the opportunity to execute a halfback pass. The play progresses like the option. After the Defense angles on the option the offense can declare "Halfback pass".

1. At this point the Offense maintains control of the switch and he must restart the board. When he stops the board the pass clock resumes.

2. If the runner goes over the line of scrimmage he cannot attempt a pass. If he goes more than 5 yards over the line of scrimmage the play is dead at the 5 yard gain. At this point the offensive coach cannot attempt anymore halfback passes for the rest of the game.

3. If the runner stops behind the line of scrimmage a pass may be attempted to all other eligible receivers including the quarterback.

4. The Offensive coach must use the "Artificial TTQB" that will be provided by tourney officials. If the pass is complete the defense adjusts all unengaged players to pursue the receiver. If the pass is incomplete the play is dead. At this point the offensive coach cannot attempt anymore halfback passes for the rest of the game.



DMC

[Reginald Rutledge]

David,

What is this? Enlighten me?

Also, how far have you gotten on your Wolverine band?

Reg