Power Shovel Option

How college teams are using the power shovel to run triple option concepts without running the quarterback.

Option schemes are a great way to stress a defense, but what if your quarterback isn’t a dual-threat?

Traditionally, option football puts the burden on the quarterback as a primary ball carrier. What if you could keep all the benefits of an option attack—without relying on your QB to be a runner?

That’s where Power Shovel concepts come in.

Utilizing a tight end or running back as a shovel option allows the quarterback to read an unblocked defender and still have multiple ways of getting the ball out of his hands.

Today, we’ll break down three Power Shovel variations:

1. Power Read Shovel

2. Speed Option Shovel

3. Sprint-Out Shovel

1. Power Read Shovel

The Power Read Shovel combines the traditional power run blocking scheme with a shovel pass option. The offensive line executes power blocking, while the quarterback rides the running back who is running a sweep path. The defensive end is left unblocked for the quarterback to read:

• If the DE crashes inside: The quarterback hands off to the running back on a sweep path.

• If the DE stays wide or maintains position: The quarterback pulls the ball and delivers a forward shovel pass to a trailing tight end or slot receiver moving underneath, following the path of the pulling guard.

Origins of the Power Read Shovel

This play gained attention when offensive coordinator Matt Canada utilized it during the University of Pittsburgh's upset over top-ranked Clemson in 2016. Canada's use of the Power Read Shovel was key in that victory.

2024 Penn State Power Read Shovel