Read Option
Read Option is a great interior run play. Every time you run this play, locate the Read Key defender who will have an “R” icon above his head. The behavior of the Read Key (typically a DE, sometimes a CB) will determine your actions on this play:
If the Read Key crashes in, then don’t press anything to keep the ball with your QB (this is “Normal” or “Aggressive” option defense)
If the Read Key stays outside or squares up to the QB, then hand the ball off to your RB by holding A on Xbox or X on PlayStation (this is “Conservative” option defense)
The run is more effective when your opponent is on “Conservative” option defense, and sometimes I’ll use the run scheme in Pistol Strong to force my opponent into switching to “Conservative” option defense before running Read Option.
