Veer / inside veer
What it is
An option play in which the dive back attacks an inside gap and the quarterback reads the first man outside the block.
Why it matters
Veer is the option's inside answer: the dive threatens downhill immediately, which forces the front to honour it and takes away the ability to fly to the perimeter. Where speed option asks a question at the edge, veer asks it at the tackle box, which is why the two are so often carried together.
Both sides of it
Running it
Linemen release inside and up to linebackers rather than blocking the read key. The dive back aims at the playside guard-tackle gap and runs full speed whether or not he gets it. The quarterback reads the first defender outside the down block: if he takes the dive, pull; if he sits, give. The dive must be a genuine threat or the read defender simply plays the quarterback.
Stopping it
Play it with assignment discipline rather than athleticism. Somebody has the dive, somebody has the quarterback, somebody has the pitch — and against veer that means the interior must not be reached by the release blocks. The read key slow-plays or attacks depending on the call, and the linebacker behind him must fill the dive lane, because a defense that reads the backfield rather than the blocking gets sorted out by the second option.
Also called
Programs call this veer, inside veer, outside veer or dive read. The Coach answers to any of them.
Related
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