The Option: The sexiest offense in sports

It's quick hitting, it's unexpected, it's potent, and it's almost exclusively seen in amateur levels of competition. It doesn't matter whether I'm talking about Vince Young in his glory days running the zone read at the University of Texas, or if it's that one left-handed buddy you always play with that loves to hit on two on all of your freeball passes, the option will only get you so far, and that "so far" is usually right up until professional competition.

It is the reason why I have long loved NCAA football more than the NFL, until the BCS stormed in and ruined the party like an eccentric Will Ferrell character.  It is also the reason why I was able to squeak out close games and points that were well in favor of the opposing team.  But I'll give you my two cents as to why you need to kick the habit once you reach a certain age, like putting ketchup on a hot dog.

There is a recurring pattern of talent rising to the top in the NCAA, like in basketball or football.  There are a few elite teams and players and then there is just everyone else, and every year we hear that we are looking at the next "MJ", "Sweetness", or Urlacher (you can tell I'm from Chicago, huh?).  And then reality hits, that supposed superstar gets drafted into the pros and blends in exactly like a well proportioned thumb.

When it comes to beach volleyball, as you are developing as a player you know what you're flaws are.  There are just certain plays, certain situations that just make you nervous, uncertain, and rigid, but as long as there is only one defender back casually strolling into position a simple roll shot over the top will mask any of that anxiety that is building, or fatigue that is burning, or skill that is lacking.

Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating a touch, but I stand by my general point, which is that options (a.k.a hitting on two) may help you in the short run but does nothing for you in the long run.  Yes you may win the point, but it still doesn't correct the fact that you passed the ball too tightly or that you are relying on your 6'8" partner to get the majority of the kills.  As you and your competition gets better those options are not going to go down as easy and then you going to get on defense thinking...

Once you do reach a certain high level of competition, options should be view more as a gimmick like Boise State's statue of liberty play, not your "I hope this works because I can't to any better" Oregon zone read.  Besides the chances of you siding out by hitting on 3 vs 2 should be significantly greater.  You should have a better set to hit off of, a setter to call the right shot, and a most importantly a well timed approach.

Yes the pros will use the on-2 during transition but almost never off of serve receive not because they have great ball control and don't often put their partner close to the net, but because they are that good at siding out, and you should work to be that good too if you want your game to get better.  Sure it looks good, and it may seem effective but while you'll be roll shotting on two, I'll be taking sexy back.