Shovel option is a combination of Power blocking along with option principles. Traditionally, as seen here, the backside Guard pulls through the hole up to the second level. The Center and playside Guard down block. The playside Tackle leaves #96 Outside Linebacker Mike Neal and also goes up to the second level. Mike Neal is the “read” man. If Neal widens with QB Carson Palmer’s half roll, Palmer will flip the shovel pass underneath to a scraping Larry Fitzgerald.

The underneath shovel pass concept has multiple variations. In a 2-man scheme, the shovel man and QB (as a runner) are threats:

Credit: From James Light Football’s Boston College Shovel Option Series at http://jameslightfootball.com/2015/08/07/boston-college-shovel-option-series/

Next, shovel can be a triple option with the underneath shovel man, the QB, and a running back or receiver as an outside pitch option reading two defenders.

Finally, shovel triple option can be run with a flat route as a shovel triple option with a pass element, or quadruple option:

Credit: from Smartfootball’s Shovel Option with a sprintout at http://smartfootball.com/option/combining-the-shovel-option-with-a-sprint-out-pass#sthash.40cBKg8n.dpbs

Here, Bruce Arians combines elements of these versions to create a well designed and somewhat unique shovel pass. Note, there is no speed option element to this play, and it is not triple option. Running back David Johnson (#31) never looks for the ball or gets into pitch phase. He is a decoy. Johnson’s flow outside moves the defense slightly to the outside, particularly #47 Linebacker Jake Ryan. QB Carson Palmer is not a run threat in this scheme.

Wideout John Brown (#12) also goes in motion and then runs a flat route. This accomplishes two things: first, it helps diagnose the coverage. More importantly, it brings his original man-to-man defender across the formation and out of position to tackle the underneath shovel. Brown could also potentially be a pass option in the flat if the defense does not account for him.

Fitzgerald’s pre-snap alignment along with the blocking scheme makes it impossible for his man-to-man defender (#37 Sam Shields) to make a play on him. If Mike Neal squeezed inside to the shovel pass, it’s possible Palmer could have looked for Nelson, or just thrown it at Fitzgerald’s feet. Overall, it’s a great example of Bruce Arians adapting a scheme to fit personnel.

Andy Reid has also implemented plenty of shovel concepts. Below, he uses jet motion window dressing and a power read mesh to cause confusion set up a shovel option touchdown:

Reid uses the same concept below without any jet motion and the threat of a toss to speedster Tyreek Hill to expand the defense:

To learn more about the triple option shovel pass, below is an instructional video:

Along with compilations of Urban Meyer’s shovel triple option both at Utah and Florida:

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The Cardinals had blitzed all game, and were ultra-aggressive on the final play of the game. Arizona played Cover 0, straight man to man with no help, and blitzed 7 defenders:

The Cardinals get immediate pressure with their 7-man blitz, but Eagles QB Nick Foles back pedals quickly enough to let the routes develop:

Chip Kelly designed the perfect play against a Cover 0 defense in this situation: the Deep Crosses cause a lot of traffic for the Cardinals DB’s. Meanwhile, Zach Ertz turns up the field from the flat toward the End Zone:

The Deep Crosses work to perfection: so much traffic is created that Eagles and Cardinals players run into each other in the End Zone, one Cardinals defender is knocked down, and the other cannot stay with his man. Jordan Matthews is able to break free and seems to be wide open for an Eagles TD to win the game. Here is where the Eagles run into a problem, and the awareness of Arizona DB Rashad Johnson is critical. Philly TE Zach Ertz carrying up the field toward the end zone actually hurts the Eagles, because a man to man also brings an Arizona defender. If Zach Ertz stayed in the flat, Jordan Matthews may have been wide open for a TD.

Even so, Rashad Johnson has the awareness to not just stay on his man, but realize the ball is in the air, to locate the ball, to peel off his man, swivel his hips and hit the Eagles WR (Jordan Matthews) before he is able to make the catch with 2 feet in bounds. Below is the video in slow motion, and then standard speed, showing how the Deep Crosses work and how Rashad Johnson peels off and makes the play:

The Eagles were incredibly close to pulling a last play miracle. Chip Kelly called a near perfect play in anticipation of Arizona’s all out blitz and Cover 0. However, even though the Eagles got the cross and route traffic they wanted, Zach Ertz continuing up the field along with Rashad Johnson’s awareness sealed the win for Arizona. Ertz probably should have continued up the field against zone coverage, but in a pure man to man (Cover 0) scenario, he may have been better off staying in the flat and letting the play develop down the field. (Cowboys must be aware of the Cover 0 blitz after last week’s troubles)

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