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Texas A&M Football: Aggies have pieces to install flexbone and triple option

By Grant Britton

ANNAPOLIS, MD - SEPTEMBER 09: The Navy Midshipmen offense lines up against the Tulane Green Wave defense at Navy-Marine Corp Memorial Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
ANNAPOLIS, MD - SEPTEMBER 09: The Navy Midshipmen offense lines up against the Tulane Green Wave defense at Navy-Marine Corp Memorial Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Read the middle of the line, the midline

The last play we will look at is another concept that can be dressed up more and made more complex. A midline read is one in which the defensive tackle playing a “3” technique (lined up on the guard’s outside shoulder) is left unblocked and read.

The A back goes in motion, and if the linebackers take even the smallest step towards him, the defense is toast. The quarterback reads the unblocked 3-technique, and either gives the ball or goes exactly (replaces) where the tackle was.

This is a quick hitting play that can be run effectively once the linebackers see outside runs have gained yardage. If they are even the slightest bit out of position and trying to make a play on the outside, there is a fullback or quarterback with a full head of steam coming at the secondary.

It’s a dangerous play, that the defense must always be aware of. That’s what makes the flexbone so great. It has counters built into the offense itself, and they prey on defenses making tiny mistakes.