Triple v. Spread

Question
Here is my dilemma: I have been the head coach of a high school team for the past 2 seasons. We primarily ran pro sets, mostly I backs, and my first season we executed very well. This past season, with 10 new faces starting on the offense, we didn't. I'm not sure if power football suits the type of kids that I normally get, and I was toying with going to the spread/shotgun spread. My question is this: Can you tell me the difference between the Spread offense and the Triple Option offense? Which do you think is easier to install? Which would be easier for the players to understand?
I'm not sold on the triple, but it was suggested to me, and in my opinion, its one of the hardest offenses to stop if executed. To make it easy; could you compare the two offenses. Thanks, Jason.

Answer
Jason -

Thanks for the question.  Well Coach, your question although seemingly simple on the surface, requires an amazing amount of consideration.  It is very complex, and I have put a lot of thought into my response.  So I will try my best to break it down for you, but I will warn you in advance, you will have to take this and put a lot of factors I do not know into it to come up with the best thing for you program.

First off, the simple differences between the 2 offenses:

Triple Option:  This is a straight forward, simple offense to install.  It relies on a small number of base plays, that if run correctly, is very difficult to stop.  This offense relies on quick, hidden-movement plays that makes the defense split up it's players, basically manning up on each back, including the QB.  To run effectively, the Qb must be an effective runner, with the talent to read defensive ends or OLBs. He must also be a good play action passer.  Your main RB must be very durable, with the stamina to run 25-35 times a game. It is a low risk - low reward offense, meaning it takes a lot of time and effort to move the ball and score.  Although reliable, it can backfire if you get behind early and the clock becomes a factor.  The reason is because the triple option is a run based offense, and chews up the clock. So you must not only take your offense into account, but your defense as well.  Can you afford that?

Spread-type offense:  Basically, it is just the opposite of the triple option.  A high risk-high reward style, it relies on a complicated array of plays, formations, and variations of play calls to work effectively.  Unlike the option, skilled players must be abundant, because it will require you to get the ball to a number of different players, in a number of different ways.  Much harder to install due to those facts, the QB must be a good thrower, and have the ability to read multiple coverages quickly. Your WRs must be able to consistently beat the DBs, and your RB should be both a good runner and receiver.  Although it has a much greater chance of scoring big points, it also runs a much higher risk of turnovers, botched plays, sacks, and stopped clock incompletions.


Now the hard part begins.  I really do not know anything about your team, its players, past success, etc, so I cant recommend one over the other. But I will strongly caution you on either offense.  As a head coach, you have to look at every factor. Every factor!  Where in the country are you?  Good weather or bad?  If bad, can you afford to rely on throwing the ball 30-40 times a game?  Do you have the players for either offense?  Not only this year, but 2-3 years down the line?  You cant switch each year, so this has to be a long term decision.  See where I am going with this?  What have you been doing to this point?  Successful?  

I will leave it with a few general comments that I believe will really assist your desicion making process.  First, assess what you have been doing.  Figure out what has worked, and what hasnt.  After that, do some serious research into the different offenses you like.  Get to be an expert on each one.  After that, sit down and take a hard look at your team, for the next 2-3 years.  What are their strengths / weaknesses.  What gives you the best chance for overall success, taking EVERY FACTOR into account. Who are you assistant coaches?  What do they know?  If you do not have an option QB coach, you are up the creek? Same for a spread QB coach.. Again, see where I am going with this? Then make a choice.

I NEVER, personally, adopt one style completely, because the coach who perfected that stlye had different players, a different program, and different coaches. I take what I know, and consider what I have talent wise, and go from there.  The best advice I ever got in football was that a successful coach adapts to his team, he doesnt adapt a team to what he knows.  If he likes option football, but has a line that cant block man for man, or a dirt slow QB, then what good does it do?  So put some serious thought into this decision, because it could not only make or break your season, but your career as a coach as well.  

I am here to help you through out your decision making process, so please feel free to follwo up as you go along.  The more specific you get, the more specific I can be with responses.  I wish you the best of luck in this process, and hope to hear back from you soon.

Best wishes

Coach Perl