Defense

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Shutting down the Option: WLB Adisa King (48) puts the hit on Air Force's QB Blane Morgan (11). Air Force prevailed in the showdown defeating Army 35-7.

The Defense

Defending The Option

Defending the option can be one of the most challenging defensive tasks in Ncaa Football 99, especially against a "ground gaining" savvy human opponent. Nothing can be more frustrating than watching your opponent swing that option play left, then right, running wide, running wild. I myself have spent endless hours simulating option situations, tactically studying the best ways to shut it down.

In this following section I will share some of the tactics that I have used in order to reverse an opponent's (+) sign to a (-) sign in the rushing statistic column. I am sure many of you out there employ your own strategy that works very well for your "defensive style of game". I suggest you stick with what works. But for those of you who are losing terribly to opponents gaining triple digits total yards off the option, look no further than here.

The Mental Edge

Mentally, three basic things are essential to stopping the option:

1. You must be tenacious.
2. You must have poise.
3. You must be focused.

NOTE: If your palms are not sweaty and you're talking with your buddies, you're not ready to shut down the option in Ncaa Football 99.

Level Of Commitment

The option can be defended through many various means. Some of you may prefer primarily using the 3-4 jam middle, 4-4, 5-2, stunting various players on different plays, and/or "bringing the wood" with a full mad dog blitz, etc. All of these strategies employ a different level of commitment. This is key. The less you use in shutting down the option, the more have to cover other areas of a offensive arsenal, and hence the more "defensive" you will be.

Below is a chart displaying some examples of my own defensive repertoire used against the option.

Moderate Commitment: Defensive plays I recommend to contain the option without sacrificing other defensive areas. Outside LBs play a wide zone, preventing over pursuit of the play. The idea here is contain, buffering the outside run. Best used in 1st - 3rd down 7+ yards situations. Also used when direction of option is disguised, or the spot of the ball is centered between the hashes.
Maximum Commitment: Defensive plays I recommend to attack and shut down the option. You have to be sure your facing the option and know direction it is going. Use in short yardage situations, when you are willing to gamble. Best used when the spot of the ball is either left or right side of the field.

Moderate Commitment	Maximum Commitment
4-3 HB KEY 4-3 ZONE BLITZ** 5-2 MAN WIDE 4-4 BASE	5-2 CHEAT WEAK/STRONG 4-4 CHEAT WEAK/STRONG 4-3 CHEAT WEAK/STRONG

**SOFT AGAINST THE HAND-OFF TO FULLBACK

Important Extras

Coverage Audible: Be sure to call the tight coverage audible (Square). This will maximize pursuit against the run, bringing players in coverage up close to the line. (See Coverage Audibles)
Line Shift: Be sure to shift your defensive line (L1,R1) in the direction of the option play. This usually will force both offensive RT and TE to double team your defensive DT or DE, freeing up your outside LB for better pursuit.
Personnel: Be sure to have your best defensive personnel at key positions. Tweeking your defensive sets with substitutions can make all the difference when those precious inches are on the line. (See Defensive Substitution)
Control Player: Be sure to control a defensive lineman. Watch for the hand-off to the FB, and stuff it. Otherwise move laterally to the line of scrimmage taking the QB. This will force the pitch to the HB, and possible fumble.
QB First: Be sure to defend the QB against the option first. Taking the QB will force your opponent to make the untimely pitch to the HB. This may create an fumble opportunity, and strings the play towards your 12th defender - the sideline.

5-2 Man Wide vs. The Option

Moderate Commitment Example

The below example is one of my favorite plays to contain the option. In fact, it is one of my favorite defensive plays period. It is a good choice when I want to "buffer" the option and still have some peace of mind in the secondary. I suggest using this defense when you are unable to predict the direction of the option. It also works well when you are trying to defend any pitch, sweep, scramble, or pass in the flat. With two LBs directly behind the line in the gaps, you can shift the line freely for better rush against the QB. This defense works best when the spot of the ball is centered between the hashes.

Figure 1  The 5-2 Man Wide.
--Five linemen one the line.
--Two DEs move laterally in a wide zone.
--LBs match up man with backs, assist   against the FB stuff.
--CBs in man coverage against WR.
--FS rotates to a zone.
--SS in man coverage, for peace of mind.
Figure 1

Figure 2  Illustrates the 5-2 Man Wide vs. "I" Option Right. The DT is under player control, with a WLB filling the gap to assist with the FB stuff. The line has shifted strong side. Controlling the DT, I recommend moving laterally at the line mirroring any back with the ball.
Figure 2

Figure 3  With the ball snapped and the FB hand-off eliminated, the DT moves laterally with the QB. A decision to dive at the QB could be made, but continue containment is illustrated. The idea is to take the QB, not take yourself out of the play.
Figure 3

Figure 4  The DT continues in lateral pursuit, but attacks the QB. This forces a untimely early pitch to the HB. Contact is made, increasing the chance of a fumble. The DT remains able to continue pursuit against the HB going wide.
Figure 4

Figure 5  The QB pitches the ball, resulting in a fumble. With so many defenders in a "wide" pursuit, there are plenty players to recover the ball.
Figure 5

4-4 Cheat Strong vs. The Option

Maximum Commitment Example

The below example is one of my favorites when I have to "sell the farm" to shut down the option. It is a gamble. There are many players in a attacking pursuit to one side. If the HB gets around this wave of bodies, there may be nothing but open ground before him. Needless to say, it is also very weak against a potential pass. I like to run this within my own red zone, and when the option is almost a guarantee. This way if you gamble wrong, there is not much space for receivers to get open in the thinly defended secondary.

Figure 1  The 4-4 Cheat Strong.
--Linemen slant to the strong side.
--LBs rotate to the strong side, SLB blitzing.
--LCB stays home, defends in a short zone.
--SS rotates to assist in pursuit.
--WLBs rotate covering the middle.
Figure 1

Figure 2  Illustrates the 4-4 Cheat Strong vs. "I" Option Right. The DT is under player control, ready to stuff the possible hand-off to FB. The line has shifted strong side. Controlling the DT, I recommend moving laterally at the line mirroring any back with the ball.
Figure 2

Figure 3  With the ball snapped and the FB hand-off eliminated, the DT moves laterally with the QB. At this point, a closer player (blitzing SLB) can be chosen (pushing X), taking out the QB or forcing a early pitch creating a fumble.
Figure 3

Figure 4  The QB has pitched to the HB. Lateral pursuit by the human controlled DT continues. The CB has stayed home in a short zone (top right). The SS rotates strong side to assist.
Figure 4

Figure 5  The LBs contain the outside run. Continue lateral pursuit with the DT, letting the computer defenders attempt to wrap up the HB. NOTE: In situations where it is evident the HB will escape wide, take the closest player and dive (square).
Figure 5

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