Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn RPO Read Slide lines up out of Shotgun Ace with 12 personnel, showing an offensive line slide protection scheme with the entire front sliding in one direction while the RB checks into a shallow flare/leak route out of the backfield. The diagram shows a single receiver at the top of the screen running a horizontal stretch route across the field, giving the QB a run-pass conflict read tied to the box count. This is an RPO run play at its core: the QB reads the alley defender or extra box defender, and if that defender crashes down on the slide run action, he pulls and hits the flare route in space for an easy conversion. Primary progression is run first, with the QB's eyes on the second level defender to decide handoff versus quick pass to the backfield route.
Defensive Reads
Identify the box count pre-snap: light boxes with only 6 defenders favor the run action, while stacked 7 or 8 man boxes tell the QB to expect the flare throw. Watch the alley defender or slot defender closest to the run action, his crash-or-contain decision is the actual key that triggers the RPO read. Man coverage on the flare defender with no underneath help is where this play gets exploited hardest since the backfield route wins in space instantly. Zone defenses that sit their linebackers deep or spy the QB tend to shut down the flare, forcing the offense into the run fit instead. User-controlled defenders who bait the run then jump the flare route late can bait an incorrect glance read, so vary tempo and eye discipline to avoid tipping the throw.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or formation checks to see if the defense adjusts numbers in the box before snapping, since this RPO lives on math advantages.
Count defenders in the box before the snap: if you have a numbers advantage, let the run hit, if the box is even or overloaded, be ready to throw the flare route immediately.
This play shines on early downs (1st and 10, 2nd and short) when defenses are more likely to sit in base fronts and light boxes.
Pair this with Mtn RPO Alert Y Flat and Mtn PA Slide from the same formation to keep defenses guessing between run, flare RPO, and play action shots off identical alignment.
Against aggressive linebacker blitzes, trust the quick RPO read to the flare since the slide protection buys just enough time to get the ball out before pressure arrives.
Do not force the flare route into tight man coverage with no separation, take the run if the conflict defender stays honest.
