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Running Play Variations and Setup Guide

Offense Guide

Running plays Situation Average result Special setup Playbook found in
Orbit Lead Triple Option Open side of field; when numbers advantage exists or to exploit orbit motion Two plays, two big gains; explosive run Shotgun Split Twins; time the pitch to the slot receiver in orbit motion Georgia Tech, Kansas
HB Direct Snap Strong side attack; one of the most overpowered run plays 5+ yards consistently; touchdowns Shotgun Y Off Trips; direct snap to the halfback Delaware, FIU, Florida State, Miami, Ohio, New Mexico, Pitt, Purdue, Rice, UAB, UMass, USC
Buck Sweep With a quick running back; effective 70% of the time 10 yards before touch; long touchdown runs Shotgun Wide Doubles HB Weak; follow the most outside pulling lineman Kennesaw State, Mississippi State, Old Dominion, Southern Miss, Tennessee, USF, Veer & Shoot
RPO Read Y Flat When "P" defender is a middle LB or safety; universal beater 5, 10, or 15 yards; one play score Y Off Trips; identify the "P" defender; tight end on flat route Penn State
RPO Power Halfback Swing Open side of the field; versus man coverage Easy touchdown or huge yardage Wildcat formation; watch defenders in front of RB; do not throw late to avoid illegal man downfield Penn State
Stretch Short yardage or looking to house call on first play Overpowered; potential touchdown Pistol Fullhouse Strong Over; uses two pulling fullbacks to the strong side Delaware, East Carolina, Pistol, Washington State
Jet QB Power Designed QB run with motion 9–10 yards or touchdown Shotgun Wolf Trips; uses jet motion for a crackback block Ball State, Georgia Tech, Iowa State, James Madison, Kansas, Kansas State, Marshall, Utah, Washington State, West Virginia
Duo Wrap Versus random defenses; effectiveness on either hash or middle Positive yardage; frequently 5–20 yards per carry Wait for blocks to set up, read the hole, do not hit turbo until through the gap Rice, Option Attack (Custom)
Double Motion Power G Substitution for direct snap; catches defenders off guard Top three run play; big yardage Shotgun Wing Trips; HB shifts to QB spot for direct snap New Mexico, Penn State
Midline Triple Option Versus 3-man odd fronts (3-4, 3-5 stack) or even fronts with closed B gaps Big gain; free real estate to the goal line Fullback runs through A gap; read interior defensive tackle Not in source
Orbit Y Lead Triple Option Versus uncontained edge Explosive run or easy touchdown Gun Wing Trips Weak formation; lob pitch animation Georgia Tech, Temple, Virginia Tech
Orbit QB Wrap Sweep Second half setup after running orbit motions in first half Big gain Shotgun Doubles; outside receiver motion gives triple option look Liberty, Spread Option, Texas A&M
Power Read Toss When defenses crash inside; provides fake toss/QB keep flexibility Perfectly executed outside lane gain Shotgun Spread Y Slot; read outside-in (end/sprint defender) Michigan, Pitt, Virginia
Motion Triple Option Weak Red Zone / Goal Line / When defenders defend arc motion Big gain; first down Pistol Flex Bone Tight; move HB to dive man; read end (R) then pitch man (P) Rice
Halfback Toss Goal line situations; open side of field 20 yards per carry Power Eye Tight formation; guard, fullback, and tight end pull to block edge LSU Tigers
Return Speed Option To get a lead blocker (TE) for the speed option 15 yards; nice gain Shotgun Wing Trips; motion from the tight end Pitt, UConn, Virginia Tech
Motion Crack Toss When a convoy of blockers is needed on the perimeter Easy 5 yards; first down Tight Off Flex; features pullers and slot receiver motion Florida, Pitt
QB Trap Short yardage situations Decent gain; positive pickups 5 Wide Receiver set; guard comes across for a trap block Duke, Kennesaw State, Southern Miss, Tennessee, Texas State, Texas Tech
QB Strong Power Designed QB run to get the edge Positive yardage Gun Trips Tight End; let pulling linemen and running back lead block Alabama, Maryland
QB Follow Versus users who set defense to force RB handoffs on options Big gain Shotgun Normal Y Off Weak; looks like a power read but is a designed keep South Carolina
Motion Lead Triple Option To utilize speedy slot receivers in space Big gain Shotgun Wingback Tight; slot receiver motions into backfield as pitch man Rice
Load Option Against speed-option defense; when more blockers are needed in front First down Wing Bone Split Wing X; read pitch man Option (Generic), MTN PWR Option (Custom)
Motion Slot Option Triple option look with slot receiver motion Three big gains in a row; touchdown Shotgun Wing Stack Weak; slot receiver motions and stops before snap Rice
Added March 07, 2026