Head coach Bill Yeoman popularized the veer option while he was at Houston in the 1970s. This play became a staple for several option teams like Georgia Tech, Navy, and Air Force. While option offenses have all but died out in the P5, the veer option is still a play several teams like to use, including Arkansas.
Veer Option Breakdown
The veer option is a gap scheme play, where the offensive line blocks away from where the RB is going. In a trap play, the edge defender would be sealed out by a half-back or tight end. But in the veer option, the edge defender is read.
The blocking scheme is fairly simple. The weak side offensive tackle takes the weak EDGE, the left guard takes the will linebacker, and the center takes the 3-technique. Meanwhile the right guard and offensive tackle double the nose guard. After doubling the nose, the right guard will try to make his way up to the mike linebacker.
Once the ball is snapped, the QB reads where the edge defender is going. If he crashes down to stop the running back at the mesh point, the QB will tuck the ball and bounce out to the perimeter. Instead, if the edge defender decides to stay upfield, then the QB will hand it off. Sometimes the EDGE tries to slow play the mesh to play both the QB and RB. In this case, the QB will most likely still hand it off.
If the QB decides to bounce back to the perimeter, he’ll then read the defensive back in the slot. The defensive back has to make a decision on whether to play the QB or the RB. If the defensive back decides to crash on the QB, the ball will be pitched out to the tailback. If the DB chooses to stick with the tailback, the QB will take it himself upfield.
Veer Option Example
On this play, the EDGE read tries to slow play the mesh to cover both the QB and RB. However, this doesn’t work because of the RB’s suddenness and the push the right guard and right tackle get on the front. Eventually, the right guard is able to work his way up to the mike linebacker. Moreover, the weak side of the line is able to prevent defenders from coming play side and disrupting the RB’s path. Once RB Trelon Smith gets into the second level, he’s able to keep chugging his legs and spin himself into the end zone.
To read more about Arkansas’ veer and shoot scheme, click here and here.