Halfback Option Play
What is Halfback Option Play?
The halfback option play is a trick play in football in which, after the quarterback hands the ball off to the halfback, the back has the option to either continue running or throw a pass to a different offensive player.
Sporting Charts explains Halfback Option Play
This play is not used very often and is usually intended to catch the opposing defense off guard. However, it has become more popular in the NFL as more teams are utilizing the wildcat package. In week 3 of the 2008 season the halfback option play was used a total of nine times across the NFL. A majority of these attempts (four) came from Miami Dolphins halfback Ronnie Brown.