If you can't do it, it's going to be awfully hard to run the triple option.
It's the exchange between the quarterback and the fullback, which is made all the more difficult because on a triple option play, neither of them knows who is going to end up with the football after it is snapped.
The fullback, or B-back, starts in a three-point stance, charges ahead keeping a low center of gravity and if he gets a step ahead of the QB and the ball is still in his pocket, it's his to carry.
"It's completely up to the quarterback," said B-backs coach Brett Gilliland. "It's the B-back's job to take his proper steps, to make sure the ball is in his pocket properly and the rest is on the quarterback. We call it a soft squeeze as you go through, then when you feel the ball, you've got to take it. To be honest, it's just one of those little magic moments that you have to rep thousands of times. They talk to the quarterback after every rep, and it's just one of those things you have to get comfortable with."
They haven't practiced it thousands of times yet, and it has shown.
"If anyone came out to the last couple scrimmages, they saw some fumbles," said fullback Zeke Rozier. "We've got one more opportunity to get out here to practice and get better. I've got a lot of work to do myself. I've got to stay low and strong through the mesh."
Rozier isn't the only one having problems with the style of running.
"Really, the hardest part is staying low," Gilliland said about the adjustment. "Running when you're not standing straight up and looking to see what's going on. You've got to run the track, trust in the track. It's not zone cut-back plays. It's full speed and your pads have to be as low as they can be. Sometimes you're running into a wall, but you've got to be able to move the wall backwards."
The group of backs - Rozier, Brandon Nolley, Tobi Akinnirayne, Brent Thomas and Lee Banks - has been working with all four quarterbacks to make sure everybody has that part of the play down.
"We're going to have our ups and downs because we have so many quarterbacks and so many different B-backs. We're still trying to work on it and get everything down pat, but I think we're getting better every day."
The team will have one more practice Thursday without pads before taking to Paulson Stadium for the annual Blue and White game.
Due to injury and some crazy circumstances, it will be the first spring game for Rozier, who is now a junior.
"First of all, I'm excited because this is going to be my first dang spring game since I've been here," he laughed. "Other than that, we're coming to the end of the spring and it's time to show the fans what we've learned in the last 15 practices, try to put on a show for them."
Thursday's practice begins at 3:45 p.m. at Beautiful Eagle Creek, and Saturday's scrimmage takes place at Paulson Stadium at 1 p.m.

Matt Yogus can be reached at (912) 489-9408.