Stop Option Plays Fast — Conservative/Aggressive Settings
Option plays are tilting when you give them up because they're totally preventable. You're just being lazy with your coaching adjustments.
Here's how to shut them down — flick the right stick at the start of EVERY game. That opens coaching adjustments. Set these four keys:
- Option Read Key: Conservative — focuses on the QB every read option
- Pitch Key: Aggressive — plays the pitch, forces QB to keep it and take hits
- RPO Read Key: Conservative — handles RPOs with read options attached
- Pass Key: Conservative — prioritizes pass coverage over run fits
Yeah, you're limiting your play calling slightly. But you're stopping the cheese that breaks games open.
How to Set Up Option Read Pitch Key Settings
Right stick in — that's your coaching adjustments menu. Do this before kickoff every single game.
Step by step:
- Right stick click during pre-game or timeouts
- Navigate to "Option Read Key" — set Conservative
- Move to "Pitch Key" — set Aggressive
- Check "RPO Read Key" — set Conservative
- Final check "Pass Key" — set Conservative
Takes 15 seconds. Saves you from getting gashed by triple option, speed option, all that stuff.
What Each Setting Actually Does
Option Read Key (Conservative): Your edge defender crashes down on the QB every time. Doesn't matter if it's Navy triple option or basic read option — that QB is getting hit.
Pitch Key (Aggressive): Outside linebacker or safety takes the pitch man hard. Speed option becomes useless because they can't get the pitch off clean. QB has to keep it, eat the hit from your edge guy.
RPO Read Key (Conservative): When they combine RPOs with option looks, you're still focused on stopping the QB run. Not getting fooled by the pass fake.
Pass Key (Conservative): Bubble screens, quick slants attached to option plays — you're in coverage first. Better to give up 3-4 yard runs than 15-yard bubble screens.
When to Use These Settings
Set them every game. Not just when you see option teams.
Why? Because EVERYONE runs some version of read option now. Georgia runs it. Alabama runs it. Even pro-style teams have RPOs with option reads built in.
Especially important against:
- Navy, Army, Air Force — obvious triple option stuff
- Auburn, Oregon — speed option heavy
- Any team with athletic QBs running RPO packages
- Online players who spam option concepts
The settings stay active all game once you set them. No need to keep adjusting unless you want to change strategy.
Why This Works — The Math
Option plays work by creating numerical advantages. Give the offense one less guy to block, they'll find the opening.
These settings eliminate that advantage:
Conservative Option Read Key means your edge guy is ALWAYS crashing the QB. No more "is he going to take the QB or the RB?" — he's taking the QB, period.
Aggressive Pitch Key means you're adding an extra defender to the outside. Speed option relies on getting to the edge with numbers. Now they don't have numbers.
Basic math — if they can't put your defenders in conflict, they can't create the big plays.
What Counters These Settings
Nothing's perfect. Here's what you're giving up:
Inside runs get easier. You're committing extra guys to option responsibility, fewer guys in the box for straight handoffs.
Quick passes can hurt. Conservative pass key helps, but if they're hitting quick game consistently, you might need to adjust.
Misdirection plays. Counter runs, jet sweeps — anything that attacks away from your option-focused defenders.
The trade-off is worth it. Better to give up 5-yard runs than 40-yard option home runs.
Common Mistakes With Option Defense
Forgetting to set them every game. Most common mistake. You think "this team doesn't run option" then they bust out RPO on third and long.
Changing settings mid-drive. Pick your settings and stick with them for full possessions. Don't get twitchy and keep flipping back and forth.
Manual overrides. These settings work when you let them work. Don't try to manually control the edge defender when he's already doing his job.
Not accounting for what you're giving up. If they start pounding inside runs, you might need different defensive calls. Not different option settings — different base defense.
The Bottom Line
Option plays break games open when you're not prepared. These settings prepare you.
Flick the right stick. Set Conservative/Aggressive. Stop being lazy with your coaching adjustments.
Won't make you unstoppable, but it'll prevent the cheap touchdowns that tilt you off the planet.